Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 19 Issue 39 December 13, 2009
During the holiday season, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is heard everywhere from shopping malls to television commercials to church functions.
Everywhere you go, you can hear about Two Turtle Doves, Seven Swans-a-Swimming and Eleven Pipers Piping.
But what does a song about doves, hens and geese have to do with Christmas?
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” may sound silly to us, but it may have had its origins in religious symbolism, with a serious purpose.
When most people hear of “The 12 Days of Christmas”, they think of the song. This song may have been used as a teaching tool to instruct young people in the meaning and content of the Christian faith.
Each of the items in the song represents something of religious significance. The hidden meaning of each gift was designed to help young Christians learn their faith. 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.
It also dates from a time of religious persecution. It has been thought that “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, was written as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without fear of arrest. A secret code or a learning or memory aid to the Christian faith.
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.
The “partridge in a pear tree” was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God.
If you think Jesus being symbolized as a partridge in a pear tree sounds blasphemous, consider what it says in: Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:34
“Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you wouldst not have it so.”
The song goes, “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…”
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.
As you listen to this message please keep in mind God, the “true love” gives these presents to us the Christian “me”.
Here we go!
1. A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge. Partridges pretend to be hurt to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings.
2. Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness of God in creation and history. God’s love letter to the world.
3. Three French Hens
Faith, Hope and Love I Corinthians 13:13
4. Four Calling Birds
The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ. The Gospels sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ.
5. Five Gold Rings
The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or Pentateuch. Also called the ‘Books of Moses’.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, which give the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in creating a people to be a light to the world.
6. Six Geese A-laying
The six days of creation that confess God as Creator and Sustainer of the world. Genesis 1
7. Seven Swans a-swimming
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
I Corinthians 12:8-11 Romans 12,
Ephesians 4; I Peter 4:10-11
· prophecy
· ministry
· teaching
· exhortation
· giving
· leading
· compassion
8. Eight Maids a-milking
The eight Beatitudes: Matthew 5:3-10
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit
2. Blessed are those who mourn
3. Blessed are the meek
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
5. Blessed are the merciful
6. Blessed are the pure in heart
7. Blessed are the peacemakers
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake
9. Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Galatians 5:22
1. Love 6. Generosity
2. Joy 7. Faithfulness
3. Peace 8. Gentleness
4. Patience 9. Self-control
5. Kindness
10. Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: Exodus 20:1-17
1. You shall have no other gods before me
2. Do not make an idol
3. Do not take God's name in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath Day
5. Honor your father and mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not bear false witness
10. Do not covet
11. Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: Luke 6:14-16
Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas bar James
The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
12. Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed:
1. I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended into hell [the grave] and on the third day He rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church.
9. I believe in the communion of saints.
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sins
11. I believe in the resurrection of the body
12. I believe in life everlasting.
So, the next time you hear “The 12 Days of Christmas”, consider how this otherwise non-religious sounding song may have had its origins in the Christian faith. Uhhh! Now you know the rest of the story!
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