The tune of this now-familiar Christmas carol only dates back to the early twentieth century, when it was composed by Frederic Austin. It’s based on a traditional folk song but both the lyrics and the melody were altered by the composer. Why twelve days? Growing up Protestant, wasn’t it generally accepted that Christmas was, like, 24 days long? And above all, I had an issue with the fact that we were singing over and over each year about a woman who clearly had a hoarding problem. “Five golden rings? Is this really necessary?” is all I could think. The song that seemed like it was all about getting things, less about giving things, and more about worldly gifts than the real gift of the season: Jesus Christ. Sense an epiphany coming? Yes, that was a dad joke. (Christmas is twelve days long, beginning with Christmas day and ending with the Feast of the Epiphany). But really, someone explained to me a rather convincing hidden meaning behind the twelve gifts. The story goes that the twelve days of gifts are symbols for catechetical learning, particularly aimed at children hoping to learn their catechism, but also serves adults in the realities of the Christian Faith. The hidden meanings are:
- 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
- 3 French Hens = Faith, hope, and charity, as the principle theological virtues
- 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels
- 5 Golden Rings = The first five books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch,” which gives the history of man’s fall from grace
- 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation (highlighting life)
- 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
- 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
- 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
- 10 Lords A-leaping = the Ten Commandments
- 11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
- 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
And the “partridge in a pear tree”? Jesus Christ as symbolically represented by a mother partridge protecting her helpless nestlings. Luke 13:34 recounts the words of Christ:
How much would it cost today:
- partridge in a pear tree $210.18.”
- Turtle Doves $450.00
- French Hens $210.00
- Calling Birds $599.96
- Golden Rings $945.00
- Geese A-laying $570.00
- Swans A-swimming $13,125
- Maids A-milking $58.00
- Ladies Dancing not available
- Lords A-leaping not available
- Pipers Piping not available
- Drummers Drumming not available
Total: $105, 561.80 + the ones not available
