When most people hear of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" they think of the song. This song had its origins as a teaching tool to instruct young people in the meaning and content of the Christian Faith. 

From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholic's in England were not able to practice their faith openly so they had to find other ways to pass on their beliefs. The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is one example of how they did it and is in a sense an allegory. 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. So the next time you hear "The Twelve Days of Christmas" consider how this otherwise non-religious sounding song had its origins in the Christian faith.

The song goes: 

"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... "The "true love" represents Jesus and the "me" who receives these presents as the Christian.

The "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God.

The "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments - another gift from God.

The "three French hens" were faith, hope and love - the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (I Cor. 13)

The "four calling birds" were the four Gospels which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ 

The "five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible also called the "Books of Moses" (Pentateuch)

The "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation

The "seven swans a-swimming" were the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:8-11; Rom. 12; Eph. 4; I Pet. 4:1&11)

The "eight maids a-milking" were the eight beatitudes

The "nine ladies dancing" were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). 

The "ten Lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments 

The "eleven pipers piping" were the eleven 'faithful' disciples. 

The "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed.