Is “The 12 Days of Christmas” a religious Song?
“The 12 Days of Christmas” is Still a Very Popular Christmas Song.
The well-known Christmas song “The 12 Days of Christmas” is believed to have a deeper religious meaning than many may think. Legend has it that “The 12 Days of Christmas” was written in England as a way to help Catholics in Ireland who were restricted from practicing their faith.
It's A Festive, Faith-Filled Song
The deeper religious meaning of “The 12 Days of Christmas” becomes more evident when one looks at the possible meanings of each of the gifts given on the twelve days. Perhaps, we will never know the exact interpretation the songs author(s) intended, but the following explanation is one widely offered explanation.
True Love
It is very easy to think of “The 12 Days of Christmas as a secular Christmas song. On each day of Christmas the “true love” gives the corresponding number of gifts. On the first day, the true love gives a partridge in a pear tree. The true love isn’t really a beau or special friend of the person in question. True love actually refers to God, and the person receiving the gifts is any individual who is baptized.
Deeper Meanings
In “The 12 Days of Christmas” the “two turtle doves” on the second day refers to both the Old and New Testaments.
“Three French hens” symbolize faith, hope, and love which are gifts of the Spirit.
The “four calling birds” refer to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors of the Gospels.
“Five Golden Rings” refers to the first give books of the New Testament.
“Six geese a laying” refers to the six days of creation, remember the 7th day of Creation was a day of rest.
“Seven swans a-swimming” refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
“Eight maids a-milking” refers to the eight beatitudes included in the Sermon of the Mount.
“Nine ladies dancing” refers to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit including joy, love, and peace.
The “ten lords a-leaping” refers to the Ten Commandments.
The twelve Apostles are symbolized by “twelve drummers drumming.”
Speaking in Code
The 12 Days of Christmas is a popular Christmas song whose religious meaning is not always evident in our modern-day world. This Christmas keep in mind the above possible interpretation of The 12 Days of Christmas as the song beautifully depicts the deeper religious meanings present in Christianity.You can read more about the origins of “The 12 Days of Christmas” at this Christmas lore website.