The Meaning Behind the Song

I received this in a Christmas card and wanted to share it. I didn't know the song"The Twelve Days of Christmas" are the twelve days between Christmas Day and the Epiphany, Jan 6., the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world. It dates from a time of religious persecution. The song was written as a kind of secret catechism that you could sing in public without fear of arrest. It could be taken at two levels of interpretation-the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved. Each element is a code word for a religious truth.
1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three french hens stand for faith, hope, and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah.
6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.
12 Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.
The "true love" in the song refers to God Himself, and the "me" receiving the gifts is every Christian. So that silly song we sing at Christmas has more meaning than we thought. Have a wonderful Christmas and elebrate the reason for the season!