Four calling birds? A partridge in a pear tree?

No one is sure exactly what the twelve gifts in the The Twelve Days of Christmas represent, but there have been several theories. One interesting claim is that the song was written to help young Catholics learn their faith. In this interpretation, each Christmas gift represents something connected to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Looking at the song this way helps us focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Each day before Christmas, starting December 13, go through the song, studying the meanings (with an LDS twist) below, remembering these are gifts Christ gives to us. Then consider ways to apply these gifts to your life: A Partridge in a Pear Tree: The partridge could represent Jesus, who said He would shelter his chicks under his wings, similar to what a mother partridge does (see Luke 13:34). Make a list of Jesuss qualities and personality traits (compassionate, forgiving, powerful, etc.) and try to display them more in your life. Two turtle doves: These have been thought to represent the Old and New Testaments, but they could also represent the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Think about how all scripture works together to testify of Christ. Find a scripture in the Bible and one in the Book of Mormon that testifies of Christ. Three French hens: These can represent the three kings bearing gifts, or they could stand for the three Christlike attributes of faith, hope, and charity. Read 1 Corinthians 13:13 and Moroni 10:20-23. Set goals of what you could do to better develop one of these attributes. Four calling birds: These represent the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), because each of these disciples call out to the world through their testimonies of Jesus Christ. Look up Gospels in the Bible Dictionary; look at the chart that depicts harmony in the gospels and notice how several of these four men testified of some of the same events from Christs life. Study the principle of having more than one witness, found in 2 Corinthians 13:1 and Ether 5:4.

Five golden rings: These symbolize the first five books of the Old Testament (known in some religions as the Torah or the Pentateuch). Think about how Christ led Moses and the children of Israel to the promised land, especially the many miracles that happened along the way. What miracles have you experienced in your own life? Six geese a-laying: These stand for the six days it took Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to create the Earth. Read the account in Genesis 1.

Seven swans a-swimming: These represent the seven gifts of the spirit, although in LDS tradition there are many more than seven. Make a list of spiritual gifts from Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-33, 1 Corinthians 12:1-12, and Moroni 10:8-18. Identify your strengths and decude how you can improve upon them. Eight maids a-milking: These stand for the eight Beatitudes, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:1-12, and 3 Nephi 12:3-12. Reflect on how these apply in your life.

Nine ladies dancing: These represent the nine fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22. On a piece of paper folded in the middle, write on one how you feel when the Spirit is present, and on the other side how you feel when the Spirit is not present. Decide what you will do to have the spirit stay with you. Ten lords a-leaping: These signify the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20 and Mosiah 12-13. Think of an experience in which you chose to follow one of the commandments even though it may not have been the easiest choice.

Eleven pipers piping: These symbolize the eleven faithful apostles in Christs original church. See if you can name all of them. Think the careers these men had before they were called as apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen; Matthew was a tax collector. Why did Christ call men from such humble circumstances? How did these men learn and grow through their experiences? Twelve drummers drumming: In the original Catholic version, the twelve drummers represent the twelve points of the Apostles Creed (an early statement of belief accepted by the Catholic Church). For an LDS take, they can represent the twelve living apostles in Christs restored church. Reflect on why it is important to belong to a church that is lead by a prophet and apostles.