24 Days of Martin – Day 12: The 12 Days of Christmas

It was evening, dinner was over, and they had just finished cleaning up the kitchen. The radio was on in the living room softly playing music from the Christmas channel. Martin was in his room reading and playing. Mom and Dad were in the living room sitting on the couch enjoying the music and sipping on eggnog while humming along to the music.

Dad leaned forward to set his eggnog on the coffee table. “I know I ask you every year, but it could change, so what is your favorite Christmas carol this year?”

“This year, I’m really liking ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’. It’s upbeat and puts people in a good mood when they hear it.” replied Mom. “I was talking with Miss Phoebe when I picked Martin up early the other day, and she mentioned ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ used to be a memory game children played. If someone messed up, they owed the challenger a favor or small candy.”

“Well, that sure is fascinating! While at band practice after work today, I found out ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ is really about Christmas and the days AFTER Christmas.” Dad said. “Charles even had a handout!” He chuckled. “I think I left it in my guitar case.”

“Really? So it’s about Dec. 26th through Jan. 6th? Isn’t Jan. 6th the day of Epiphany?” asked Mom.

“It sure is. And each gift day in the song is what day after Christmas you are supposed to give it. So ‘A Partridge in a Pear Tree’ is what you gift someone on the 25th.” said Dad.

“Too bad it didn’t start on the 26th” joked Mom, “that would be a great way to get rid of Christmas trees!”

Dad laughed and picked up his eggnog for another sip. “It sure would!” Dad set his cup down again. “I have to assume then, the ‘secret catechism’ embedded into the song is incorrect. I don’t think many children’s memory games have religious symbolic interpretations!”

“I would think so.” Mom agreed. “It is fun to see how people are able to make connections in places: 10 Drummers Drumming as the 10 Commandments. It sort of makes sense—they both have the number 10. And I guess Moses really did drum those commandments into the heads of his followers.”

Dad started to say something, but just as he started to speak, ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ started playing. “Martin!” yelled Dad. “Come into the living room and sing with us!”

“Coming!” Martin hollered as he ran from his room.

“Whoever messes up has to wash dishes tomorrow night!” laughed Mom as they all started singing, “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me….”

The next morning, Martin was eating breakfast when he noticed Dad’s guitar case by the door. “Dad, Mom said you had a handout about the 12 Days of Christmas?”

“Oh, that’s right! I forgot all about it. Let me grab it.” Dad opened his guitar case and pulled out a folded paper. “Here it is – Charles printed this for everyone at band practice.”

Martin unfolded the paper and read.

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 2025 – FROM THE HANDOUT CHARLES PASSED OUT TO THE BAND MEMBERS

Day 1 (Dec 25, Thursday) – A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Hidden meaning: Jesus Christ
Christmas Day! The Nativity feast

Day 2 (Dec 26, Friday) – Two Turtle Doves
Hidden meaning: The Old and New Testaments
Boxing Day/St. Stephen’s Day – giving charity to the poor

Day 3 (Dec 27, Saturday) – Three French Hens
Hidden meaning: Faith, Hope, and Charity
Feast of St. John – drinking wine and wassail

Day 4 (Dec 28, Sunday) – Four Calling Birds
Hidden meaning: The Four Gospels
Feast of the Holy Innocents – children were in charge!

Day 5 (Dec 29, Monday) – Five Golden Rings
Hidden meaning: First five books of the Old Testament

Day 6 (Dec 30, Tuesday) – Six Geese a-Laying
Hidden meaning: The six days of creation

Day 7 (Dec 31, Wednesday) – Seven Swans a-Swimming
Hidden meaning: The seven sacraments
New Year’s Eve – playing games and sports

Day 8 (Jan 1, Thursday) – Eight Maids a-Milking
Hidden meaning: The eight Beatitudes
New Year’s Day – the traditional day for giving gifts!

Day 9 (Jan 2, Friday) – Nine Ladies Dancing
Hidden meaning: The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

Day 10 (Jan 3, Saturday) – Ten Lords a-Leaping
Hidden meaning: The Ten Commandments

Day 11 (Jan 4, Sunday) – Eleven Pipers Piping
Hidden meaning: The eleven faithful apostles

Day 12 (Jan 5, Monday) – Twelve Drummers Drumming
Hidden meaning: The twelve points of the Apostles’ Creed
Twelfth Night – grand feast with King Cake!