The Hidden Christmas Message

Have you ever wondered about the many Christmas songs or carols that we sing this time of year?  Some of them use very powerful word pictures and others just powerfully glorify our savior.  This month, I am going to concentrate on researching some of our Christ-centered carols and hopefully bring some enlightenment to their deeper meaning and message.

                Let’s start with “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.  I always thought of this song as a rich princess’ gift list; so was pleasantly surprised when I learned in my Medieval Church History class that it was written as a hidden Christmas message.  During the persecution of Great Britain between 1558 and 1829, Roman Catholics were afraid to even hum their favorite carols.  So, one clever and anonymous composer carefully chose “gifts” that appeared innocuous, yet were filled with meaning to those who knew the hidden message.  Here are the hidden meanings of the song’s gifts:

A partridge in a pear tree                                             Jesus, God’s only Son

Two turtle doves                                                          The Old and New Testaments

Three French hens                                                       Faith, Hope and Love
Four calling birds                                                         The 4 Gospels

Five golden rings                                                         The 5 Books of Moses

Six geese a-laying                                                        The 6 Days of Creation

Seven swans a-swimming                                           The 7 Gifts of the Spirit

Eight maids a-milking                                                 The 8 Beatitudes

Nine ladies dancing                                                     The 9 Fruits of the Spirit

Ten lords a-leaping                                                      The 10 Commandments

Eleven pipers piping                                                    The 11 Faithful Disciples

Twelve drummers drumming                                      The 12 points of Doctrine in the
                                                                                      Apostles’ Creed
Oh, and let us not forget who the “True Love” mentioned represents:  God the Father.  Our loving and Heavenly Father gave us the greatest gift of all, “a partridge in a pear tree” or in other words-- Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son who was sacrificed for us on a tree.  So, when you hear this song again, remember the hidden meaning and let it lead you into the Christmas spirit of true thanks for the gift of God’s Son.

Sending Christmas Joy to You,

Michelle McDermott