The real meaning of the “Twelve Days of Christmas”

It’s the Christmas season, a time for joy and gladness and carols and at a time like this one cannot help but remember the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" which is an English Christmas carol. Some time ago I heard this song being performed in the church and I asked is this even a Christian song and should it be sung in the church. The answer is YES and here is why

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. So someone during that time wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. What most people then and even now don’t know is that it has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The "True Love" one hears in the song is not any human but Jesus Christ, because God is love and sending his only begotten son was  prove of that (See John 3:16). In a book titled “Handbook of Catholic Sacamentals” Ann Ball (Author) explained the deep hidden meaning of the carol thus:

The partridge in the pear tree also represents Jesus Christ because bird is willing to sacrifice its life if necessary to protect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators.

The two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments

The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels i.e Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The five golden rings represents the first five books of the Old Testament also known as the books of Moses

The six geese a-laying stands for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represents the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-----Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-----Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

So now when next you hear this carol YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS