On the First Day of Christmas…

// December 27th, 2009 // Doctrine, Life

Some have suggested that the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is actually a song of instruction with hidden meanings to the basic teachings of the Faith. The “true love” mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every believer who is part of the Church.

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me…

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ’s sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . .” (Luke 13:34)