The Twelve Days of Christmas Story Christmas Ornaments Verse
One English Christmas carol well-known worldwide today is more than a repetitious tune with pretty phrases and strange gifts "The twelve days of Christmas" is a song with different levels of meaning.   From 1558 to 1829, the Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. During this period "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as a catechism song for young Catholics. The hidden meanings of the songs gifts were intended to help children remember lessons of their faith. Instead of referring to an earthly suitor, the "true love" mentioned in the song refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents is symbolic of every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings.   The meaning of other symbols are:
Two Turtle Doves -	the Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens -	Faith, Hope, and Charity
Four Calling Birds -	the four Gospels
Five Golden Rings -	the first five books of the Old Testament, which give the history of man's fall from grace.
Six Geese A-Laying -	the six days of creation
Seven Swans A-Swimming -	the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Eight Maids a-Milking -	the eight Beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing -	the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
Ten Lords A-Leaping -	the Ten Commandments.
Eleven Pipers Piping -	the eleven faithful disciples
Twelve Drummers Drumming -	the Twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed