I went to look up the lyrics to the 12 days of Christmas for my kid because he wanted me to sing it to him and I couldn't remember each of the 12 things. I got 11 of them right, but out of order and totally blanked on the poor pipers piping. Nonetheless, I came across these lyrics which presented me with the religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas. While I already knew they represented the days from Christmas day to Epiphany, I either didn't know or had long ago forgotten that they each had greater meaning. Nevertheless, here it is:
1 Partridge in a Pear Tree refers to True Love or rather to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
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