Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas is a tradition almost 2,000 years old. The 12 day/night observances begin December 25/26th, Christmas Day, and culminate on January 5/6th, the day of Epiphany (A Christian feast day which celebrates the revelation of God in human form, in the person of Jesus Christ).
Over the centuries, different cultures, churches and families have created their own 12-day celebrations. Traditions vary greatly, from elaborate festivals to days of fasting; from providing food for the poor to hanging out a stocking to be filled on Christmas Eve. Even people who don't recognize Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Christ, sometimes unwittingly take part in 12-day traditions, such as hanging a wreath on the front door -- a tradition handed down from the Pilgrims who hung the wreath on Christmas day as a 'house blessing.' The Pilgrims adapted this idea from a house-blessing ritual dating back to the 12-day celebrations of the 4th century.
The words of The Twelve Days of Christmas appear to be nonsensical. They do however, have significant meaning.
- The partridge in a pear tree refers to Jesus Christ on the cross
- The two turtle doves refer to the Old and New Testaments
- The three French hens stand for faith, hope and love
- The four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
- The five gold rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament
- The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation
- The seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, serving, exhortation, teaching, contribution, leadership and mercy
- The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes
- The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
- The ten lords a-leaping stand for the Ten Commandments
- The 11 pipers piping represent the 11 faithful disciples
- The 12 drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostle's Creed