Every year countless listeners hear “The 12 Days of Christmas” playing on their radios and in department stores by various musicians. What most people don’t realize is the history behind the song and what English Roman Catholics of the 1500s and American Spies in the Revolutionary War have in common. The “Twelve Days Of Christmas” was written in code to teach catechism to young Catholics during a period in which people could not openly practice their faith in England.

There is something else too few people realize about the 12 days of Christmas—the first day starts on Christmas Day! In America our tradition has evolved into starting décor and festivities in November, then on Christmas Day it is abruptly over. If you celebrate advent, you might gradually bring the Christmas season to a close January 6 with the feast of the Epiphany.

Christianity Today writes:

The “real” 12 days of Christmas are important not just as a way of thumbing our noses at secular ideas of the “Christmas season.” They are important because they give us a way of reflecting on what the Incarnation means in our lives. Christmas commemorates the most momentous event in human history—the entry of God into the world he made, in the form of a baby.

Here are the real 12 days of Christmas:

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

The True Love of Which the song speaks is Jesus Christ who was born on Christmas!

First: A partridge in a pear tree—this is a bird who willingly sacrifices itself to save its young from predators.

Second: Two Turtle Doves—the Old and the New Testament.

Third: Three French Hens—which represent faith, hope, and love or the Trinity.

Fourth: Four Calling Birds—the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Fifth: Five Golden Rings—the first five books of the old testament which teach us about the fall of sin and foreshadow the coming of a Savior. The golden ring is also a symbol of the calf in the story of the Ten Commandments.

Sixth: Six Geese a Laying—symbolize the six days of creation.

Seventh: Seven Swans a Swimming—represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which are prophesy, service, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership, and mercy.

Eight: Eight maids a milking—represent the eight beautitudes.

Ninth: Nine Ladies Dancing—the fruits of the holy spirit which are charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, mildness, fidelity, modesty, and chastity.

Tenth: Ten Lords a Leaping—represent the Ten Commandments.

Eleventh: Eleven Pipers Piping—the eleven faithful apostles who shared Jesus’ message after the crucifixion.

Twelfth: Twelve Drummers Drumming—the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

Here are some of the 12 Days of Christmas Traditions:

December 26 is for the feast of Steven in which Christmas Dinner leftovers are given to the poor (this is also boxing day). Steven was the first known martyr of the New Covenant.

December 27 is for remembering the teachings of John the Evangelist who was the only apostle who did not die a martyr.

December 28 is the feast of the Holy Innocents in respect for the innocent babies who were murdered by King Herod. This is a day to remember that we were saved by God’s mercy and not by our own doing such as the children who were also saved by God.

January 6 the Christmas celebration comes to a close the Epiphany and a renewed commitment to share the news of the Gospel throughout the New Year.

This is a history I don’t want to forget. I hope you enjoyed learning about it and will share it with someone else. Please spread it every year and let your Christmas celebration linger as long as it can.