Haha! Its Christmas na nga.. you can hear lots of christmas songs sa tv, radio, even sa mga LRT stations! And one these songs is the the 12 days of Christmas.. do you know that 12 days of Christmas has a meaning? Yup! Its not just an ordinary Christmas song and I will tell you about it..
The History
The song was actually made by the Catholics but as Christians we could also apply it to our own lives. It was made in England somewhat between 1558 to 1824, because in this time the people are not allowed to read the Bible, go to church and do other things related to their religion. Because this is song is also parang walang kabuluhan sa government ng England (walang pakialam yung government dun sa song and they didn’t understand the true meaning of it), so they sang the song as much as they want.
The Meaning
The start of the song goes like this, “On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me…” The “true love” there symbolizes God and the “me” is everyone of us. So on the song, the “true love” sent gifts to “me” so in other words.. the song speaks about the twelve gifts that God has given us..
1st day- Partridge in a Pear Tree
A partridge is a kind of bird that will risk even her own life just to protect her eggs from predators. The partridge symbolizes Jesus Christ who risked His life just to save us from Hell. The pear tree symbolizes the cross, so in other words it symbolizes the gift of God which is Jesus that is crucified in the cross.
2nd day- Two turtle doves
It symbolizes the two divisions of the Bible, the Old and New Testament.
3rd day- Three French hens
It symbolizes the 3 things that the Holy Spirit has given us according to 1 Cor.13:13 which is faith hope, love(charity).
4th day- Four Calling Birds
It symbolizes the four Gospel books in the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Kaya calling birds kasi di ba Jesus told us in Matt.28:19-20 to go into all the world and teach all nations, that is calling or sharing the Gospel to other people.
5th day- Five Golden Rings
It symbolizes the first five books in the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. These books kasi contains the “golden” rules and laws of the Israelites.
6th day- Six Geese a laying
It symbolizes the six days of the Creation. Di ba pagnaglalay ang birds ng eggs nahihirapan sila then after nagpapahinga sila. So God created everything in 6 days and rested in the 7th day of Creation.
7th day- Seven swans a swimming
It symbolizes the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit to us that we could use according to Rom 12:6-8, prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation(encouraging), giving with simplicity, ruling with diligence, and showing mercy with cheerfulness.
8th day- Eight maids a milking
It symbolizes the beatitudes of Jesus in Mat 5:3-11. Actually, 9 yun lahat pero yung 8 and 9 kasi ay pwede gawin isa na lang.
9th day- Nine ladies dancing
It symbolizes the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Gal 5:22-23, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness self-control.
10th day- Ten lords a leaping
It symbolizes the 10 commandments which are the “lords” or the main laws in the Bible.
11th day- Eleven Pipers piping
It symbolizes the 11 disciples who were loyal to Jesus. Actually, jesus had 12 disciples, kaso one betrayed Him, si Judas.
12th day- Twelve drummers drumming
The last gift symbolizes the 12 beliefs in the Apostle Creed:
1. Belief in God the Father
2. Belief in Jesus Christ
3. Belief in the Holy Spirit
4. Belief that Jesus is born with Mary
5. Belief that Jesus became man
6. Belief that Jesus was crucified
7. Belief that Jesus died
8. Belief that Jesus arose from the dead
9. Belief that Jesus sits now at the right hand of God
10. Belief that Jesus is coming again
11. Belief that there is a resurrection of the dead some day
12. Belief that there is everlasting life
/*so the next time you sing or hear The 12 days of Christmas you will remember its true meaning and it is not just an ordinary Christmas song*/
Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year!!!