Christian Truths Contained in the Popular Christmas Song
Teach Your Children using Twelve Days of Christmas
Deut. 6:6-9 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Parents are to be teachers of Biblical Truth
Prov. 4:10-11 “Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.”
The OT Passover was to create a teachable moment
Exodus 12:21 ¶ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 “And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. 23 “For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. 24 “And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. 25 “It will come to pass when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 “And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 “that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Twelve Days of Christmas
A note about the Twelve Days of Christmas: 1558 to 1829 the Catholics in England were not able to practice their faith openly so they had to find other ways to pass on their beliefs. Each of the items in the song represents something of religious significance. The hidden meaning of each gift was designed to help young Christians learn their faith.
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me…..A Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Two Turtle Doves
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me… Three French Hens
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me… Four Calling Birds
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me… Five Gold Rings
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Six Geese A-laying
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Seven Swans A-swimming
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Eight Maids A-milking
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Nine Ladies Dancing
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Ten Lords A-leaping
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Eleven Pipers Piping
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me..Twelve Drummers Drumming
Meaning of the symbols of the 12 days of Christmas
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me…..A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The “true love” represents God and the “me” represents the Christian. The “partridge in a pear tree” is Jesus Christ who died on a tree or cross as a gift from God for the whole world.
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Two Turtle Doves
Two turtle doves are symbolic of the Old and the New Testament
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Three French Hens
The three French hens are symbolic of the valuable poultry in the 16th century. Only the rich could afford them. They are like the wise men’s gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Also they are symbolic for the three Christian virtues of faith, hope and love.
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Four Calling Birds
The four calling birds are symbolic of the four Gospel writers, like birds calling out with loud and distinctive voices
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Five Gold Rings
The 5 golden rings are symbolic of the Torah (the 5 books of Moses), treated as most valuable and treasured, as is gold.
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Six Geese A-laying
The six geese are symbolic of the six days of new life, the creation.
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Seven Swans A-swimming
The swans are symbolic of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that also change us from ugly ducklings into graceful adults.
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Eight Maids A-milking
The eight maids milking are symbolic of the beatitudes.
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine ladies dancing are symbolic of the rejoicing over the nine fruits of the spirit.
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten lords leaping are symbolic of the Ten Commandments
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven pipers piping are symbolic of the piping the eleven faithful apostles
following the chief piper and becoming like Him.
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Twelve Drummers Drumming. The twelve drummers drumming are symbolic of the loud steady rhythm for marchers to follow as is the points of the Apostle’s Creed
On The 1st Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The “true love” represents God and the “me” represents the Christian. The “partridge in a pear tree” is Jesus Christ who died on a tree or cross as a gift from God for the whole world.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
On The 2nd Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Two Turtle Doves
NT books and their themes
1. Matthew-The King and the Sacrifice (Written to the Jews)
2. Mark-the Servant (Written to the Romans)
3. Luke-Christ the Son of Man (Written to the Greeks)
4. John-Christ the Son of God (Written to the World)
5. Acts-History of the early Church
6. Romans-Doctrine; God’s solution for sinners: righteousness (Sin – Salvation – Sanctification – Sovereignty – Service)
7. I Corinthians-Order in the Church
8. II Corinthians-Paul defends his apostleship; reconciliation
9. Galatians-Law versus Liberty
10. Ephesians-Christ and the Church; the church is the Body
11. Philippians-Rejoicing and joy
12. Colossians-Christ and the Church; Christ is the head of the Church
13. I Thessalonians-Jesus is coming again
14. II Thessalonians-The day of the Lord
15. I Timothy-Advice for a young leader: Qualifications
16. II Timothy-Advice for a young leader: Actions
17. Titus-Godliness and good works
18. Philemon-Forgiveness and restoration
19. Hebrews-Christ is better
20. James-Practical Christianity
21. I Peter-Suffering
22. II Peter -Spiritual Discernment
23. I John-Marks of a Christian; fellowship with God
24. II John-Truth and dealing with deceivers
25. III John-Fellowship and hospitality
26. Jude-Contend for the faith
27. The Revelation-The King has come and is reigning
Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
I & II Samuel
I & II Kings
I & II Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
On The 3rd Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Three French Hens
The three French hens are symbolic of the valuable poultry in the 16th century. Only the rich could afford them.Symbolic for the three Christian virtues of faith, hope and love.
The three virtues of Christianity: faith, hope and love. Love is the greatest!
On The 4th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Four Calling Birds
The four calling birds are symbolic of the four Gospel writers, like birds calling out with loud and distinctive voices
Matthew – the King and the Sacrifice: Written to Jews
Mark – the Servant: written to the Romans
Luke – the Son of Man; Written to the Greeks
John – the Son of God: written to the World
On The 5th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Five Gold Rings
The 5 golden rings are symbolic of the Torah or the Law (the 5 books of Moses), treated as most valuable and treasured, as is gold.
Genesis: The beginning (creation ) and the stories Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel; Noah; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel and Joseph
Exodus: God getting His people out of the world – Redemption
Leviticus: God getting the world out of His people. – Sanctification
Numbers: Going for a long walk – Caleb and Joshua as spies
Deuteronomy: The Second Law
On The 6th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Six Geese A-laying
The six geese are symbolic of the six days of new life, the creation.
We also use the six for teaching the six parts to the Armor of God.
First day: Light Second day: Firmament and Water Third day: Land and Vegetation
Fourth day: Sun, moon, and stars. Fifth day: Fowl and fish. Sixth day: animals and Man
Six parts of the Armor of God
1. Belt of Truth
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
3. Shoes of peace
4. Shield of Faith
5. Helmet of Salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit
On The 7th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Seven Swans A-Swimming
The swans are symbolic of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that also change us from ugly ducklings into graceful adults.
Seven Spiritual Gifts of Romans 12
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Prophecy
Serving/ministry
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving
Administration/leading
Showing Mercy
On The 8th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Eight Maids A-milking
The eight maids milking are symbolic of the beatitudes.
Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt. 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Matt. 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Matt. 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Matt. 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
On The 9th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine ladies dancing are symbolic of the rejoicing over the nine fruits of the spirit.
Gal. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
On The 10th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten lords leaping are symbolic of the Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
Exodus 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image
Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.
Exodus 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:15 “You shall not steal.
Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet
On The 11th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven pipers piping are symbolic of the piping the eleven faithful apostles
following the chief piper and becoming like Him.
Simon Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite or the Zealot
On The 12th Day Of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve drummers drumming are symbolic of the loud steady rhythm for marchers to follow as is the points of the Apostle’s Creed
The Apostle’s Creed
- I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
- And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord:
- Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
- Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
- The third day He rose again from the dead:
- He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
- From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
- I believe in the Holy Ghost:
- I believe in the holy catholic (universal) church: the communion of saints:
- The forgiveness of sins:
- The resurrection of the body:
- And the life everlasting. Amen.