I have been learning what the “12 Days of Christmas” signify during this holiday season (thanks to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s newsletter). I would like to share with you the meaning of the 12 different symbols in the beloved holiday song. Check back as I update them, leading up to the big day!

On the first day of Christmas: The partridge in the pear tree is Jesus on the cross. The bird imagery can also be seen as symbolic of Christ’s teaching “as hen doth gather her brood under her wings.” (See Luke 13:34)

On the second day of Christmas: The two turtledoves represent the Old Testament and the New Testament.

On the third day of Christmas: The three french hens represent the members of the Godhead: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. Alternatively, they represent the three virtues: faith, hope and charity (or love). (See 1st Corinthians 13:13)

On the fourth day of Christmas: The four colly birds (”colly” is an old word for “black”) stand for the four Evangelists–Matthew, Mark, Luke and John–or the four Gospels they wrote.

On the fifth day of Christmas: The five gold rings correspond to the first five books of the bible, sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch.

On the sixth day of Christmas: The six geese a-laying refer to the six days of the Creation (see Genesis 1:31; Exodus 20:11).

On the seventh day of Christmas: The seven swans a-swimming suggest the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 12:6-8). Alternately, the seven swans represent the seven sacraments recognized by some faith traditions.

On the eighth day of Christmas: The eight maids a-milking signify the eight Beatitudes from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:3-10).

On the ninth day of Christmas: The nine ladies dancing embody the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).

On the tenth day of Christmas: The ten lords a-leaping denote the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:3-17).

On the eleventh day of Christmas: The eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful Apostles (see Luke 6: 13-16; Acts 1:26).

On the twelfth day of Christmas: The twelve drummers drumming are the twelve doctrines in the Apostles' creed (namely: belief in the Father, belief in the Son, the virgin birth, the atonement, his ministry after death, his ascension to Heaven, his role as judge, belief in the Holy Ghost, belief in the church, forgiveness of sins, the resurrection, and eternal life).

Merry Christmas to one and all!