Religious Persecution Evolves into a Beloved Christmas Carol

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS…

...has so many different roots, versions, traditions, but the long and short of it, originally it appeared as a child’s nursery rhyme around 1780, reflecting on times past when Christians were religiously persecuted in England. To follow are the traditional explanations to this children’s story. Parents could safely instruct their children the Twelve Articles of their Catholic Faith. In 1909, composer Frederic Austin put the lyrics and melody together, changed a few words – viola`- our favorite Christmas Carol!

SHALL WE SING AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God’s gift of love given to us. Romans 6:23.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two turtle doves.

These are the Old and New Testament – the solid foundation of our Christian Faith. Hebrews 10:9.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me three French hens.

Faith, hope, and love are the three theological virtues which point to God. 1 Corinthians 13:13.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four calling birds.

These are the Four Gospels of the New Testament, which tell us about the Good News about Jesus!

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me five golden rings.

The first 5 books in the Old Testament reveal God’s infinite Love, Grace, and Mercy on all of His Creation.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six geese a-laying.

These are the six days of creation found in the first book of the Bible, Genesis chapter 1 - Exodus 20:11.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me seven swans a-swimming.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Seven Sacraments.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking.

The Beatitudes – the me-attitudes Jesus taught (Sermon on the Mount). Matthew 5:1-10.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing.

The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit listed by St. Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. But as Catholics, we have 12 according to our Latin translation of the Bible. The Catechism of the Catholic Church added 3 more in CCC 1832: “The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: ‘charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.”

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten lords a-leaping.

God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping.

There were 12 Apostles but Judas betrayed Jesus. Matthew 27:5.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming.

There are 12 Articles of Faith in the Apostles' Creed.

Merry Christmas to You!

love, your sister in Christ, Bobby Speers