The Twelve Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my
true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two
turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three
French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true
love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On
the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to
me Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And
a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And
a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to
me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden
rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On
the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids
a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French
hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love
sent to me Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven
swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle
doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve
drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!
The Twelve days symbols
1st
Day: The partridge in a pear tree is Christ Jesus upon the Cross. The tree is the symbol of the fall of the human race through
the sin of Adam and Eve. True Love refers to God
2nd Day: Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments
3rd Day:
Three French Hens - Faith, Hope, and Love
4th Day: The "four calling birds" refers to the four evangelists. Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John - which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
5th
Day: Golden Rings - The first five books of the Bible, also called the Jewish Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy.
6th Day: Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation.
7th Day: TSeven swans a-swimming -
seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
8th
Day: Eight maids a milking - Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake - eight beatitudes listed
in the Sermon on the Mount.
9th Day: Nine ladies dancing - nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
10th Day: Ten lords a-leaping
- Ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17): You shall have no other gods before me; Do not make an idol; Do not take God's name in
vain; Remember the Sabbath Day; Honor your father and mother; Do not murder; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not
bear false witness; Do not covet.
11th Day: Eleven pipers piping - eleven faithful Apostles (Luke 6:14-16): Simon Peter,
Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas bar James.
12th
Day: Drummers Drumming - the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed: 1. I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth, 2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, 3. Who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell. 5.
The third day he rose again from the dead; 6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. 7.
From there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 8. I believe in the Holy Spirit, 9. I believe in the holy
catholic church, the communion of saints, 10. The forgiveness of sins, 11. The resurrection of the body, 12. And
the life everlasting. Amen.
|