The Twelve Days of Christmas

by Gail Smith

Download the sheet music

Eight maids a-milking, ten lords a-leaping are expressions of traditional Christianity? How on earth?

Well, here's how. In 16th century England after the accession of Elizabeth I the English who remained loyal to Roman Catholicism found themselves on the wrong side of the law. They were forbidden by royal decree to teach the catechism to their children, so they disguised catechistic teachings in metaphors and put them to a tune. The twelve days of Christmas is one of those resulting songs. The carol veils truths about Christ's life and message.

The singer of the carol is an ordinary person who believes in Christ, and his or her "true love" is God the Father. The accumulative pattern of going back each time through all the verses teaches the on-going and abundant blessings of a loving God.

The partridge, a bird reputed to choose death to defend its young, is an ancient Christian symbol of Christ. The two turtle doves signify the sacrifice offered in the temple by Joseph and Mary at the presentation of Christ in the temple. The three French hens, priceless poultry in 16th century England, represent the gifts of the magi.

The four calling birds are the four gospel writers. The five golden rings represent the Torah, that is, the five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying signify the six days of creation; the seven swans a-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The eight maids a-milking are the Beatitudes, which nourish our spirituality. The nine ladies dancing refer to the nine choirs of angels.

The ten lords-a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping signify the eleven apostles who proclaimed the resurrection (minus Judas, who of course, was shortly there after replaced by Matthias). The twelve drummers drumming are the twelve basic beliefs enshrined in the Apostle's Creed.

So when next you hear "The Twelve Days of Christmas," maybe you can use the occasion to lift your heart and your mind to God, praying for peace in the world, and the unity of all Christians.