On the twelfth day of Christmas...

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds,

Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

Baptism of Christ Artist: Pieter de Grebber (b. ca. 1600)

Each of the songs gifts actually have hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. For example the "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The other symbols mean the following:

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed





These are pretty...

12 Days of Christmas ( Shelly Tribbey Designs)
stitched by Janet Knudsen
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/stitchers_corner/stitchers11.html

Parody of the "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by Frank Kelly