How can I use the “12 days of Christmas” to remember Christ at Christmas?

12/13/10

"My true love" represents God, who gives all the gifts listed in the song.

"A partridge in a pear tree" is Jesus, who gave His life on a tree (the cross).

"Two turtle doves" symbolize the Old and New Testaments.

"Three French hens" are faith, hope, and love.

"Four calling birds" speak of the four Gospels:  Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

"Five golden rings" correspond to the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Pentateuch.

"Six geese a-laying" stand for the six days of creation.

"Seven swans a-swimming" are the seven gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12:6-8).

"Eight maids a-milking" point to the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10).

"Nine ladies dancing" signify the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

"Ten lords a-leaping" represent the Ten Commandments.

"Eleven pipers piping" are the eleven faithful disciples.  And finally...

"Twelve drummers drumming" call to mind the twelve points of the Apostle's Creed.

 

"Twelve drummers drumming" call to mind the twelve points of the Apostle's Creed.

I BELIEVE in

1. God almighty the Father almighty
   
2. And in Christ Jesus, his only Son, our Lord
   
3. Who was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
   
4. Who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and was buried
   
5. And the third day rose from the dead
   
6. Who ascended into heaven
   
7. And sits on the right hand of the Father
   
8. He will come to judge the living and the dead.
   
9. And in the Holy Spirit
   
10. The holy church
    
11. The remission of sins
    
12. The resurrection of the flesh, the life everlasting.
    

"Eleven pipers piping" are the eleven faithful disciples.  And finally...

1. Simon Peter
   
2. James
   
3. John
   
4. Andrew
   
5. Phillip
   
6. Bartholomew
   
7. Matthew
   
8. Thomas
   
9. James the less
   
10. Jude
    
11. Simon the Zealot
    

"Ten lords a-leaping" represent the Ten Commandments.

1. You shall have no other gods before me. 
   
2. You shall not make for yourself any carved image of God 
   
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain 
   
4. Remember the Sabbath day
   
5. Honor your father and your mother 
   
6. You shall not murder.
   
7. You shall not commit adultery. 
   
8. You shall not steal. 
   
9. You shall not lie. 
   
10. You shall not covet.
    

"Nine ladies dancing" signify the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is

1. love,
   
2. joy,
   
3. peace,
   
4. patience,
   
5. kindness,
   
6. goodness,
   
7. faithfulness,
   
8. 
   ²³ gentleness and
   
9. self-control.
   

"Eight maids a-milking" point to the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10).

1. ³ "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,^[a]
         for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
   
2.     ⁴ God blesses those who mourn,
         for they will be comforted.
   
3.     ⁵ God blesses those who are humble,
         for they will inherit the whole earth.
   
4.     ⁶ God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,^[b]
         for they will be satisfied.
   
5.     ⁷ God blesses those who are merciful,
         for they will be shown mercy.
   
6.     ⁸ God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
         for they will see God.
   
7.     ⁹ God blesses those who work for peace,
         for they will be called the children of God.
   
8.    ¹⁰ God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
         for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
   

"Seven swans a-swimming" are the seven gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12:6-8).

 ⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to

1. prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
   
2. 
   ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well.
   
3. If you are a teacher, teach well.
   
4. 
   ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.
   
5. If it is giving, give generously.
   
6. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
   
7. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
   

   
    

"Six geese a-laying" stand for the six days of creation.

God created on each of the six days of creation:

Day 1: The heavens, the earth, light and darkness.

Day 2: Heaven

Day 3: Dry land, the seas, and vegetation.

Day 4: The sun, the moon and the stars.

Day 5: Living creatures in the water, birds in the air.

Day 6: Land animals and people.

"Five golden rings" correspond to the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Pentateuch.

1. Genesis
   
2. Exodus
   
3. Leviticus
   
4. Numbers
   
5. Deuteronomy
   

"Four calling birds" speak of the four Gospels:  Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

"Three French hens" are faith, hope, and love.

"Two turtle doves" symbolize the Old and New Testaments.

"A partridge in a pear tree" is Jesus, who gave His life on a tree (the cross).

"My true love" represents God, who gives all the gifts listed in the song.