Artwork:
Love Knows No Bounds by (artist unknown), image by Bill Inman 2011 CC 2.0. This painting depicts an expression of tenderness at a time of immense joy at the birth of our Savior, Christ and the weight of glory it carried.

Advent Devotional

The exact origins of this song are unknown, but it materialized out of England in the late 1700’s. The twelve days of Christmas is the period of time from Christmas day to January 5, otherwise known as Christmastide, or Twelvetide. This song is about receiving gifts on each of the twelve days of Christmastide from a “true love.” The gifts are very eclectic, spanning the spectrum to include a pear tree, swans, geese, drummers, and golden rings. Each verse adds upon the previous verse until on the twelfth and final day of Christmas, we sing out all twelve gifts.

There is a tradition that the carol was used as a secret code to help believers remember key tenets of the faith during days of persecution in England. Whether this is true or not, the song can be a way to remember key truths:

My true love: God

Me: Christian

A partridge in a pear tree: Jesus Christ, God’s Son (Luke 13:34)

Two turtle doves: the Old and New Testaments

Three French hens: Faith, Hope and Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Four calling birds: the four Gospels

Five golden rings: the first five books of the Old Testament

Six geese a-laying: the six days of creation

Seven swans a-swimming: the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8)

Eight maids a-milking: the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10)

Nine ladies dancing: the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22)

Ten lords a-leaping: the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)

Eleven pipers piping: the eleven apostles who remain faithful

Twelve drummers drumming: the Apostle’s Creed (12 points of doctrine)

Prayer

Thank You,
God,
for Your incomparably
great gift.
My true love, my
joy, and my strength,
help me to
marvel more
at Your grace each day.
And from your
bounty may
I give to others in
Your Name.