THE SECRET MEANING OF "THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

By the time the busy winter holiday season is over just about everyone can probably do without another round of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Why does that song stick in our heads and what is the significance of the gifts? It has long been a favorite of children and used by educators; perhaps for its repetition, the counting exercise or maybe even as an exercise in memorization and tongue twisting.

The creators of the Olde English Carol had something very specific in mind when they wrote this one. It is much more than a stick in your head tune about peculiar gifts. And it's no surprise that it has attracted teachers and children ever since. Education by rote is at its core.

From 1558 to 1829 Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. The Twelve Days of Christmas was written as a catechism coded in song to help children remember the lessons of their Catholic faith. The lyrics weave a rich, colorful tapestry of hidden meaning. Here's the key:

True love refers not to an earthly paramour, but to God himself.
Me - the one receiving the gifts is every baptized person.
Partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, symbolic of a mother partridge who feigns injury and acts as a decoy drawing predators away from her helpless nestlings.

Two turtledoves - the Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens - Faith, Hope and Charity
Four calling birds - the four Gospels
Five golden rings - the first five books of the Old Testament, which give the history of man's fall from grace
Six geese a laying - the six days of creation
Seven swans a swimming - seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Eight maids a milking - the eight Beatitudes
Nine ladies dancing - nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
Ten lords a leaping - The Ten Commandments
Eleven pipers piping - the eleven faithful disciples
Twelve drummers drumming - the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed

reference - A Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals by Ann Ball

Origins of the Candy Cane

One of the most recognizable tokens of the winter holidays is the Candy Cane. No longer limited to the standard red and white striped variety, today the candy cane comes in a wide assortment of flavors, sizes and colors, one sure to match any decorating theme imaginable.

This treat was created by a devout Christian American confectioner. The 'J' shaped candy stood for Jesus. The white base symbolized the virgin birth and the bright red infinite twining stripe represented the blood shed on the cross. No doubt he chose the cool taste of peppermint to echo the crisp winter air.

It only follows that the candy cane was first employed by churches, which gave them out as rewards to children who behaved themselves during services.

Regardless of his intentions, and creative symbolism, the candy cane finds itself an attractive bauble to dangle from the boughs of Christmas trees or tucked into the top of a Christmas stocking. Smaller versions work wonders to quiet impatient children waiting in long lines at the mall to whisper their heart's desire into St. Nicholas' ear.

Now what do you suppose the secret meaning of those little individually wrapped, round red and white peppermints is? And then there are the green ones?