A busy lead up to the 12 days of Christmas (Eve)...

 It's been a very busy 12 days before Christmas with so much happening and have been listening a lots of Christmas carols with local Christian Radio station Radio Rhema when I heard a story behind the "12 days of Christmas" carol.

I first remember learning to sing this song back in primary school and wondered about all the different presents that were being given but didn't know the backstory. This is one version of this Christmas carol's meaning according to www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources.

It was first published around 1780, Roman Catholics weren't able to practice their faith openly and so the author of this song penned the words to assist children/people to learn the tenets of their faith with the surface meaning and a hidden meaning.

The story is as follows:

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
a partridge in a pear tree - Jesus Christ who gave his life willingly on the cross.
on the 2nd day... 2 turtle doves - the old and new testament.
on the 3rd day... 3 french hens - faith, hope and love.
on the 4th day... 4 colly birds - 4 gospels of the new testament.
on the 5th day... 5 gold rings - first 5 books of the old testament.
on the 6th day... 6 greese a laying - 6 days of creation.
on the 7th day... 7 swans a swimming - 7 fold gifts of the Holy Spirit.
on the 8th day... 8 maids a milking - 8 beatitudes.
on the 9th day... 9 drummers drumming - 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit.
on the 10th day... 10 piper's piping - the 10 commandments.
on the 11th day... 11 ladies dancing - 11 faithful apostles.
on the 12th day... 12 lords a leaping - 12 points of belief of the apostles creed.

So now that I know the meaning behind the story of this Christmas carol, I am sure that other Christmas carols may also have a backstory. Have a Happy Christmas Eve with your families around the world...