THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS–EXPLAINED
The traditional story behind the carol: To teach children about their faith, each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which children could remember.
One Partridge Jesus Christ
Two Turtle Doves The Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens Faith, Hope, and Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Four Calling Birds Four Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Five Golden Rings First five books of the Old Testament (Torah or Law)
Six Geese-a-Laying Six literal days of creation (Genesis 1:1-31; Genesis 2:1-7).
Seven Swans-a-Swimming Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
Eight Maids-a-Milking Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11 minus one)
Nine Ladies Dancing Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
Ten Lords-a-Leaping The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17).
Eleven Pipers Piping Eleven faithful disciples (Luke 6:12-13).
Twelve Drummers Drumming Points of belief in "The Apostles' Creed"
1. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.
2. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
5. He descended into Hell. On 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 thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints,
10. The forgiveness of sins,
11. The resurrection of the body,
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.
