The 12 Days of Christmas

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The 12 Days of Christmas
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The 12 Days of Christmas

• Written in England in the 16th century when
  Catholics couldnt practice their faith.
• When people would sing it, they were professing
  their faith, but those in charge wouldnt know
  that and then they could not be punished. It was
  a secretive and symbolic song.
• Teaches the truths of the faith in its hidden
  meaning.

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What 12 Days?

• The 12 days of Christmas are the 12 days from
  Christmas until the Epiphany, which is when the
  three Wise Men came to worship Jesus.

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Symbolism in the Song

• The True Love refers to
• God Himself.
• The me refers to every Christian.

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A Partridge in a Pear Tree
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JesusA mother partridge fakes injury to distract
predators from her helpless nestlings, and Jesus
had expressed sadness over Jerusalem when he said
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.
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Two Turtle Doves
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The Old and New Testament
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Three French Hens
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The Three Theological Virtues Faith, Hope, and
Love
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Four Calling Birds
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The Four Gospels and Evangelists

• MatthewMarkLukeJohn

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Five Golden Rings
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The Five Books of the Pentateuch

• GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomy

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Six Geese A-laying
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The Six Days of Creation
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Seven Swans A-swimming
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The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the Seven
Sacraments
WisdomCounselKnowledgePietyUnderstandingForti
tudeFear of the Lord
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Eight Maids A-milking
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The Eight Beatitudes

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
  kingdom of Heaven
• Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
  comforted.
• Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
  earth.
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
  righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown
  mercy.
• Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see
  God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be
  called children of God.
• Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake
  of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
  Heaven.

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Nine Ladies Dancing
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The Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
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Ten Lords A-leaping
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The Ten Commandments

• I the Lord, am your God, you shall not have other
  gods besides me.
• You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
  in vain.
• Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
• Honor your father and mother.
• You shall not kill.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not bear false witness against your
  neighbor.
• You shall not covet your neighbors wife.
• You shall not covet anything that belongs to your
  neighbor.

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Eleven Pipers Piping
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The Eleven Faithful Apostles

• PeterAndrewJamesJohnPhilipBartholomewMatthew
  JamesJudeSimonThomas

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Twelve Drummers Drumming
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The Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostles
Creed

• I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of
  heaven and earth.
• I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our
  Lord.
• He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of
  the Virgin Mary
• He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
  died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
• On the third day He rose again. He ascended into
  Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the
  Father.
• He will come again to judge the living and the
  dead.

• I believe in the Holy Spirit.
• The holy catholic Church,
• the communion of saints
• The forgiveness of sins,
• The resurrection of the body
• And life everlasting.

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