The 12 days of Christmas are teaching what exactly ?

Question

There is a REAL reason.

Answer 1

Symbolic interpretation
Some Christians assign symbolism to the gifts in the song. One of the most common versions of these assigned meanings is:

The 'partridge in a pear tree' means there is only one God and is also symbolic of Jesus (see Luke 13:34).
The 'two turtle doves' are the Old and New Testaments.
The 'three French hens' are the three Persons of the holy Trinity or the three virtues: faith, hope, and love, though according to Ace Collins' book "Stories of the Best Loved Christmas Songs", they represent the expensive gifts of the Wise Men: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The 'four calling birds' are the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; or their Gospels.
'Five gold rings' are the first five books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch.
'Six geese a-laying' refer to the six days of the Creation.
'Seven swans a-swimming' are the seven sacraments and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
'Eight maids a-milking' are the eight Beatitudes.
'Nine ladies dancing' are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
'Ten lords a-leaping' are the Ten Commandments.
'Eleven pipers piping' are the eleven faithful Apostles.
'Twelve drummers drumming' are the twelve doctrines in the Apostles' Creed.

Answer 2

The 12 Days of Christmas to most people is just a nonsense rhyme set to music. But it is more than just a repetitious melody and had quite a serious purpose when it was written. Roman Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law in private or in public. It was in fact a crime to be a Roman Catholic.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "Catechism Songs" to help secret young Roman Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. The poem was a memory aid for those unenlightened times when to be caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Roman Catholic faith could not only get you transported to a nasty place such as America, but also imprisoned, beheaded or hanged.

The song's gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptised person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ and the two turtle doves are the old and new Testaments.

The other verses represent the following:

3 French Hens are Faith, Hope and Charity,

4 Calling Bird are The Four Gospels,

5 Golden Rings are the first five books of the Old Testament,

6 Geese A-Laying are the six days of creation,

7 Swans A-Swimming are the seven gifts of The Holy Spirit,

8 Maids A-Milking are the eight beatitudes,

9 Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit,

10 Lords A-Leaping are the Ten Commandments,

11 Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful apostles,

12 Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.

ENDS.

Answer 3

origanly it was a way to remember the bible or christmas story. I did have a website with detail just now I am not sure if I remember where but will have a look again. the partrige was one God or bible the toterdle duve the 2 parts of the bible and the 3 french hens the trinity it sounds a bit funny now but I think that was it the 12 deciples at the end.
http://www.crivoice.org/cy12days.html
cheek this site

Answer 4

The 'partridge in a pear tree' means there is only one God and is also symbolic of Jesus (see Luke 13:34).
The 'two turtle doves' are the Old and New Testaments.
The 'three French hens' are the three Persons of the holy Trinity or the three virtues: faith, hope, and love, though according to Ace Collins' book "Stories of the Best Loved Christmas Songs", they represent the expensive gifts of the Wise Men: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The 'four calling birds' are the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; or their Gospels.
'Five gold rings' are the first five books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch.
'Six geese a-laying' refer to the six days of the Creation.
'Seven swans a-swimming' are the seven sacraments and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
'Eight maids a-milking' are the eight Beatitudes.
'Nine ladies dancing' are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
'Ten lords a-leaping' are the Ten Commandments.
'Eleven pipers piping' are the eleven faithful Apostles.
'Twelve drummers drumming' are the twelve doctrines in the Apostles' Creed.

k1

Answer 5

It was origionally the 12 days of Yule, a Pagan festival

Answer 6

The 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. The song teaches different mores of the Christian Faith. For an explanation of what each means, see http://www.crivoice.org/cy12days.html

Answer 7

it was an old celebration that lost alot of meaning

people that say its a song, really need to read a history book, this "song" came into existance during the secular takeover of england, in which anyone who preached the bible was executed, yes atheists are a peaceful people right?, This song was song as a celebration of the christmas season, while one could not attend a mass.

Answer 8

As the predominant form of Christianity spread across Europe, Christmas expanded with it. The Catholic Church adopted the viewpoint that it was fitting to perpetuate a joyous festival in honor of Jesus’ birthday. Accordingly, in 567 C.E., the Council of Tours “proclaimed the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany as a sacred and festive season.”—The Catholic Encyclopedia for School and Home.

Christmas soon absorbed many features from the profane harvest festivals of northern Europe. Merrymaking remained more common than piety as revelers indulged in gluttonous eating and drinking. Rather than speak out against the loose conduct, the church endorsed it. (Compare Romans 13:13; 1 Peter 4:3.) In 601 C.E., Pope Gregory I wrote to Mellitus, his missionary in England, telling him “not to stop such ancient pagan festivities, but to adapt them to the rites of the Church, only changing the reason of them from a heathen to a Christian impulse.” Thus reports Arthur Weigall, who once was inspector general of antiquities for the Egyptian government.

Most of the paganism in "Christianity" was introduced by the Catholic Church. The 12 days of Christmas teach just how far paganism has contaminated the healthful words of Jesus.

Answer 9

Historically it is in reference to the Babylonian festival of Zagmuk, but the true popularity of the song came in the late 1700s as a memory game.

Answer 10

This is the understanding that I gain from the song>
I think the main purpose of the song is to give us the message that true love means> not only to give true love on Christmas day, but to also give (show) our love on the "every-day" occasions.
The song was created in a fun way, and receives more attention because it's fun.
The more it receives attention, the more the message is shared with those who need to receive the message.