The Twelve Days of Christmas

 I love my collection of the Twelve Days of Christmas Byer's Choice Carolers.  I have 1 thru 10; 11 and 12 come out next year.  The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" has always been of favorite of mine.  Only recently did I realize the song had another interpretation.

The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day, December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and the Epiphany, January 6th, the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world.
The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may sound silly and contrived to many of us.  But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism - and with a serious purpose.
It dates from a time of religious persecution.  The song was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest - a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact.
The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation - the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved.  Each element is a code word for a religious truth.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
2. The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed. 

The "true love" in the song refers to God Himself. 

The "me" receiving the gifts is every Christian.

So that "silly" song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning than we thought!