THE TRUE MEANING
of
On the first day of Christmas
My True Love gave to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the second day of Christmas
My True Love gave to me:
Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the third day of Christmas
My True Love gave to me:
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas
My True Love gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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.
12 Days of CHRISTMAS
People often think of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” as the days before December 25th. However, “Christmas” is actually a season of the Christian year known as “Christmastide”, which begins on December 25 and lasts until January 6th - the day of Epiphany (a holiday which celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.)
This period was one of continuous feasting and merrymaking. The 12 days of Christmastide were so popular that William Shakespeare used it for one of his plays – “Twelfth Night”. The song “The 12 Days of Christmas” was an English Christmas carol apparently adapted from a similar French song. The version that we are familiar with today was developed by the Catholic Church because of the persecution of Christians in Britain. From 1558 until 1829, people in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. If fact, if anyone was caught with anything in writing indicating their belief in the Catholic faith, they could be:
imprisoned hanged shortened by a head (execution by beheading) or hanged, drawn and quartered (A peculiar and ghastly punishment involving hanging a person by the neck until he was almost dead; then he was taken down from the gallows, and disemboweled while still alive. While the entrails were lying on the street, the executioners would stomp on them. Then the victim’s limbs were tied to four large farm horses, and he was literally torn apart.)
It was during this era that “The 12 Days of Christmas” was used as a kind of secret code concerning several important lessons about Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Christian faith as recorded in the Bible. These lessons could be sung in public without the risk of persecution. The hidden meaning of the song would only be understood by Christians.
The 12 Days of CHRISTMAS
Secret Code
CODE for - My True Love gave to me:
My “True Love” - stands for Our Father God!
GOD is OUR TRUE LOVE!!! He showed how much He loves us by giving us the GIFT OF HIS ONLY SON! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16
CODE FOR DAY 1 - Partridge in a pear tree
“Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.” – 1 Sam. 26:20
The “partridge” in a pear tree - is Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! A partridge is a bird related to the pheasant, quail and chicken. The mother partridge will act as a decoy to protect her defenseless chicks from predators. (She would pretend to be injured in order to draw predators away from her nest.) She literally risks her life for her children. This example of the partridge represents the reason for the birth of Christ: “…and I lay down my life for the sheep." - John 10:15 Also, one of the Hebrew definitions for partridge is . . . “caller.” Our Lord and Savior Jesus “calls us” to be His disciples and spread His Message to the world: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” – Matt. 28:19-20 The pear tree was actually a mistake in translation; the French word for partridge is “perdrix” – pronounced per-dree. However, it came to represent the cross on which Christ was crucified.
CODE FOR DAY 2 - Two Turtledoves
“And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old . . . and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”- Gen. 15:9
The “two turtledoves” - are the Old and New Testaments. A turtledove is a type of small dove which sings a “trrrr, trrrr” song to announce the arrival of Spring—a season symbolic of new life. Doves have become emblems of devoted love. God’s Word (as dictated in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible), is an emblem of His great love for His children. Both the Old and New Testaments contain information about God’s greatest gift to man, namely, His Son Jesus Christ . . . Who is Our Symbol of New Life: “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Rev. 21:5 Turtledoves were used as part of the sacrificial ritual the Ancient Hebrews were commanded to make. However, after Christ was born, these rituals were no longer necessary, for Christ Himself became our Sacrifice for all of our sins:
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” – Eph. 5:2
CODE FOR DAY 3 - Three French Hens
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!” – Matt. 23:37
The “three French hens” - stand for faith, hope and love. The 3 French hens may refer to the “French Guinea Hens.” Guinea hens lay many eggs, and the entire flock will often lay in a single nest. Sometimes hens share the incubation duties, but usually a single hen will sit on all the eggs. (A hen was known to sit on as many as 70 eggs!) The hen performing this duty is a beautiful example of the three great Christian virtues - faith, hope and love:
o Faith - steadfastness in belief o Hope - expectation of and desire of receiving; refraining from despair and capability of not giving up o Love - selfless, unconditional, and voluntary loving-kindness
CODE FOR DAY 4 - Four calling birds
“Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.” – Matt. 13:32 The “four calling birds” - are the four Gospels in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The calling birds actually are “colley” birds, a type of blackbird. In England, a coal mine is called a colliery. The name “colly or collie” derives from this and means “black like coal.” Blackbirds, like many woodland birds, space themselves out so that each breeding pair of birds works a small area without encroaching on the next pair. In order to attain this separation, the birds need to alert each other to where they are and they do this by singing loudly. The blackbird has one of the most musical of voices of any bird and has a whole range of different sounds it uses for different situations. The term “Gospel” means “good tidings or good news.” The first 4 books in the New Testament are called the four “Gospels” – because they proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we spread the “Good News” of the Gospels – we are like the blackbirds, using our different voices and unique gifts which allow us to adapt to many different situations as we tell everyone about Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, Who died for our sins.
CODE FOR DAY 5 - Five golden rings
“Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, Your neck with chains of gold.” Songs 1:10 (NKJV) The “five golden rings”- represent the first five books of the Old Testament called the “Torah.”
The golden rings refer to the “golden ring-necked” pheasants - not jewelry. In very bad weather, these pheasants are known to stay on a roost for several days without eating. The first five books of the Bible are called the Jewish Torah. They are also referred to as the Five Books of Moses or The Pentateuch: 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers 5. Deuteronomy. Understanding God’s Word as recorded in these five books will also allow us to “remain on our roosts,” during the stormy seasons in our lives.
CODE FOR DAY 6 - Six geese a-laying
“Every day, Solomon needed one hundred fifty bushels of fine flour, three hundred bushels of coarsely-ground flour, ten grain-fed cattle, twenty pasture-fed cattle, one hundred sheep, as well as deer, gazelles, and geese.” - 1 Kings 4:22-23 (CEV) The “six geese a-laying” - represents the six days of creation.
The mother goose lays 1 egg per day until a full clutch is obtained. (Average number of eggs in a “clutch” or nest is 4-6.) The mother goose waits until all her eggs are laid before she begins to sit on the nest to incubate the eggs. When egg laying begins the "Father" goose will stand sentinel watch nearby, but not so close as to give away the location of the nest to a predator. When a solitary goose is seen during nesting season, a nest is somewhere in the vicinity. Since roasted goose was a holiday favorite, the eggs were not an important source of food, but valued for the prospective birds into which the eggs would hatch. This is an awesome example of Our Father God, Our Magnificent Creator, bringing something new to life everyday for 6 days - until His “clutch” was complete. After He brought new life into existence, He “stands guard” over His creation while we evolve and “incubate” into new creatures in Our Lord Jesus Christ:
“For if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Cor. 5:17
CODE FOR DAY 7 - Seven swans a-swimming
“The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,” - Deut. 15:16 “Seven swans a swimming” - represent the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit. White and gray swans spend their winter seasons on the waters of the Holy Land. Throughout history, swans have been associated with royalty, and the swan is often used on royal symbols and other decorations. In fact, the British Monarchy still gives away Mute Swans as gifts. Swans are also found in myths and folk tales dealing with love. Because of His great love, Our Father has given us gifts by grace—through His Holy Spirit:
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, [let us use them]: if prophecy, [let us prophesy] in proportion to our faith; or ministry, [let us use it] in [our] ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. – Rom. 12:6-8 (NKJV) Therefore, the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are: 1. Prophecy - (to declare the purposes of God from divine inspiration) 2. Ministry - (to proclaim God’s message; to meet needs through charities) 3. Teaching - (to instruct, to explain; to hold discourse with others) 4. Exhortation – (to encourage and strengthen by consolation; to comfort) 5. Giving - (to share a thing with anyone) 6. Leading - (to preside over, to be a guardian) 7. Mercy - (to bring help to the wretched)
CODE FOR DAY 8 - Eight maids a-milking
“He put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.” Luke 8:54 The “eight maids a milking”- are the eight Beatitudes. During that time period in England, young unmarried females were called “maidens” or “maids.” The task of milking the cows or goats frequently belonged to these young maids. Therefore, the term “go a-milking” came to mean a marriage proposal or a request for sexual intimacy. Christ wishes to have a righteousness and pure relationship with each of us. He is The Bridegroom, and we as believers are His bride: “For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband – Christ.”– 2 Cor. 11:2 (NLT) The term “beatitudes” is defined as “blessings.” The GREATEST blessing that we will ever receive is to become the bride of Christ! The Beatitudes describe the blessings in store for those who have prepared themselves for Him as His bride: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.” Rev. 19:7
The Beatitudes
Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matt. 5:3-11
Those who will be Blessed by God are:
1. THE POOR IN SPIRIT: The definition of the word “poor” means – “one who must beg; one who has nothing and is completely empty.” Those who have completely emptied themselves of pride… Those who are fully conscious of their sins and have begged for God’s forgiveness …. Those who realize in their hearts that they will never achieve salvation on their own … All of these souls will be blessed with God’s kingdom.
2. THEY THAT MOURN: The person who mourns is the one who recognizes that he is a sinner before God, and does not deserve His grace nor salvation: “O wretched man that I am!...” – Rom. 7:24 You cannot mourn until you have become “poor in spirit.” God allows this grief over our sinful condition to become a path to Him. When we mourn because our disobedience has hurt Our Father, and then ask for His forgiveness and mercy—He will comfort us.
3. THE MEEK: The Greek word for meek means “a domesticated animal,” - not a weak person. The tamed animal has his “strength under control,” like a trained stallion. Just as the tamed animal knows he has a master and obeys him willingly, a meek person realizes that he is under the control of Jesus Christ. He willingly submits to the authority of Our Lord and Savior, thereby, acquiring the “training” needed to possess the earth with his controlled strength, and not be tempted or influenced by worldly things.
4. THEY WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: Hunger means - “to seek with eager desire.” Thirst means - “to eagerly long for those things by which the soul is refreshed.” Mere bread and water will not satisfy this hunger nor quench this thirst… Only those who fervently yearn for the righteousness of God more than bread and water will be filled through His Son: “May you abound and be filled with the fruits of righteousness . . . which come through Jesus Christ…” - Phil. 1:11
5. THE MERCIFUL: The merciful are those extraordinary individuals who go out of their way to make an effort to help anyone in need. Many of us may feel compassion for someone who is suffering, but only a few of us actually do something to help: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:16 The merciful will obtain God’s mercy; however, the unmerciful shall not: “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy…” - Jam.2:13
6. THE PURE IN HEART: Those who are pure in heart are - “unstained with guilt and free from corrupt desire.” The heart of man is desperately evil and wicked: “The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?” – Jer. 17:9 The only ones with a pure heart are those who have had their hearts cleanse by God: “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.” – Ps. 19:12 (NLT) After this cleansing, then you will be able to “see God” everywhere you look and in everything that you do. To the pure in heart, Our Ever Present Father becomes quite visible.
7. THE PEACEMAKERS: Peacemakers are those who strive to bring peace by spreading the Gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are lovers of His peace. They make every effort to overcome evil with good. For their efforts, they are recognized as the true children of God. Those whom Our Father calls His children must practice the “ministry of reconciliation:” But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Cor. 5:18
8. THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE:
Godly people who try to live in obedience to Christ will be victimized, abused and mistreated by those who are “willfully disobedient.” Disobedience HATES obedience . . . Worldliness HATES godliness . . . Evil HATES good . . . Sin HATES righteousness . . . Therefore, everyone who is consistently living a Christian (Christ-like) life . . . WILL BE PERSECUTED!!! “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” - John 15:20 However, the faithfully poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers – shall all eventually reside in the kingdom of heaven.
CODE FOR DAY 9 - Nine ladies dancing
“… the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with instruments of music.” 1 Sam. 18:6 (ASV) “Nine ladies dancing” - are the nine “fruit of the Spirit.”
In many countries, dancing is an important feature of the female culture, through which their feminine qualities or personalities are expressed. The Holy Spirit has a “personality” also. The characteristics or attributes of His personality are called the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Gal 5:22-23 When we answer Our Lord’s call to discipleship and ask Him to save our souls, Jesus immediately makes us aware of His Holy Spirit (which was abiding in us the whole time!) As we become stronger and more mature in our Christian walk, the Holy Spirit will possess more and more of our souls. During this “transformation” process (which will be ongoing for the rest of our lives) – we will begin to display the attributes of the Holy Spirit Who is residing in us: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Rom. 12:2 Or in other words, we will begin to produce “good fruit” which will be noticed by everyone around us! “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” – Matt. 7:17 “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.” Matt. 12:33
CODE FOR DAY 10 - Ten lords a-leaping
“And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:8 The “ten lords a-leaping”- are the Ten Commandments.
English lords would celebrate Christmastide with singing and dancing. Dancing was a part of the male culture as well; however, the act of leaping into the air was added by the male dancers. When the festivities were over, these English lords returned to the task of establishing and maintaining the law in their own jurisdictions. The 10 Commandments were laws dictated to Moses by Our Lord—to establish a code of proper conduct among His chosen people, the Hebrews: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.” Ex. 24:12 When we are able to master God’s laws and have them become an automatic part of our daily lives, we also will “leap for joy” like the lame man in the above Scripture who was healed.
CODE FOR DAY 11 - Eleven pipers piping
“And all the people come up after him, and the people are piping with pipes, and rejoicing -- great joy, and the earth rendeth with their voice.” 1 Kings 1:40 (YLT)
“Eleven pipers piping” - represents the eleven faithful Apostles.
In ancient times, flutes or pipes were called the shepherd’s instruments because they were used for entertaining the shepherd himself and his sheep. Pipes were also used to make important announcements. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ personally chose 12 men and trained them to “make His announcements” – or in other words, to spread His Gospel. All but one of them remained true to Our Lord:(Luke 6:14-16) 1. Simon Peter 7. Matthew 2. Andrew 8. Thomas 3. James 9. James, son of Alphaeus 4. John 10. Simon the Zealot 5. Philip 11. Judas, brother of James 6. Bartholomew
Like the "Pied Piper of Hamlin," these Apostles drew many to Jesus.
CODE FOR DAY 12 - Twelve drummers drumming
“Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum, praise him with fiddles and mandolin.” - Ps. 150:5 (Mess.) The “Twelve drummers drumming” - symbolize the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
Drums were also used to make important announcements. After the Apostle Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus, the remaining apostles filled the vacancy by electing Matthias , a long-time companion of theirs: “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” – Acts 1:26 The Apostle's Creed is an early statement of Christian belief in the Catholic Church; it is traditionally divided into twelve articles. It is believed that under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost, each of the Twelve Apostles dictated a part of this creed.
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.