When Are The Twelve Days of Christmas?

In the Church,  the day technically begins at sunset. Therefore, Christmas begins at sundown on December 24th, which we very appropriately call "Christmas Eve."  The Christmas Season, which begins with Christmas Eve, ends on the eve of Epiphany, which is sundown on January 5th. Therefore, Christmas lasts twelve days, and the period from sundown on December 24th to sundown on January 5th is called the "Twelve Days of Christmas."

What Is The True Meaning?

Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law -- private or public.  "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith during that period, when to be caught with anything in "writing" indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned but could also get you hanged.  The song's gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith.

"True Love" refers to God.
"Me" refers to every baptized person.

The other symbols mean the following:

1 Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity or the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Trinity

4 Calling Birds = The Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament or The Catholic Church's five obligatory sacraments: baptism, communion, confirmation, penance and last rites

6 Geese-A-laying = The six days of creation

7 Swans-A-swimming = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids-A-milking = The eight beatitudes or the eight times a year that Roman Catholics in those days were required to receive Holy Communion

9 Ladies Dancing = The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords-A-leaping = The Ten Commandments

11 Pipers Piping = The eleven apostles, excluding Judas

12 Drummers Drumming = The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping, ten lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords-a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

December 10          December 12

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Merry Christmas!!

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