It took me back to an article I read some time ago that said this is really a song about Christ Jesus -- the singing bird in the Tree of the Cross. Even though the folks at Snopes have shown this isn't really a medieval catechism song, I still think the content of the article is worth sharing, so that we can all look for opportunities to see Jesus, to think about His birth, and to imitate His love in the midst of this intensely busy season of Advent.
Without further ado ...
Jesus Christ is the Partridge in the Pear Tree, hung upon the Tree of the Cross to protect us, the "birds of the air which rest in its shade" (Mark 4:32), and who gathers us as a mother hen (Matthew 23:37).
The 2 Turtle Doves are the Old and New Testaments of the Bible ... they come as a pair.
The 3 French Hens are the Three Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, which like French hens, are known to produce abundant fruit (both eggs and good works).
The 4 Calling Birds are the Four Gospels whose "voice goes out to all the world" (Ps 19:4)
The 5 Golden Rings are the Pentateuch, the first Five Books of the Old Testament, which show the "chain" of sin in the world from which Christ came to free us.
The 6 Geese A-laying are the six days of Creation, coming to life and birth like hatching eggs.
The 7 Swans A-swimming are the Seven Sacraments, keeping up with the "S" theme.
The 8 Maids A-milking are the eight Beatitudes which help us to "not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life" (John 6:27).
The 9 Ladies Dancing are the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit, which show the outward results of a right disposition before God, bringing us to "sing and dance for joy" (Luke 6:23).
The 10 Lords A-leaping are the Ten Commandments, which was "our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24).
The 11 Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful Apostles whom "we hear in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God" (Acts 2:11).
The 12 Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed. ... And in case you're wondering what those are:
1. I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
10. the forgiveness of sins,
11. the resurrection of the body,
12. and the life everlasting. Amen.
So ... I hope this is a little inspiration to be looking (and listening!) for the Presence of Jesus, even during these busy days leading up to Christmas.
Happy Advent!
-Father Ryan
PS - In case you're looking for the original article, there are several editions of it, but the one I read was at https://www.ewtn.com/library/HOMELIBR/TWELVDAY.TXT. God bless! -Fr. Ryan
