The Twelve Days of Christmas Song Explained
The song is actually a catechism in code, which was developed by Roman Catholics during their persecution in England! Each of the twelve days focuses on one faith item. Before you read below, see how many you know! Merry Christmas with Christ’s Love, Fr. Chris

On the ___ day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
1) A Partridge in a Pear Tree - the partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to keep safe her nestlings (Luke 13:34).
2) Two Turtle Doves - The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures (two testaments!), which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.
3) Three French Hens - The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
4) Four Calling Birds - The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
5) Five Gold Rings - The first Five Books of the Hebrew Scriptures (formerly called the Old Testament, and also known as the Torah or Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.
6) Six Geese A-laying - The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).
7) Seven Swans A-swimming - The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11).
8) Eight Maids A-milking - The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10).
9) Nine Ladies Dancing - The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22).
10) Ten Lords A-leaping - The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17).
11) Eleven Pipers Piping -The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). Not include is the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
12) Twelve Drummers Drumming - The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy Catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.