For many years I envisioned the song; the Twelve Days of Christmas very similar to the silent movie. This movie has been out of print for over five years. Finding this classic movie at one of the many video stores may be a small miracle unto itself.
On the first day of Christmas: A man rides up on his bicycle and presents his true love with a partridge and a pear tree.
As the song progresses the girls house quickly fills up with birds and people.
As the birds and people are delivered to the house the girl becomes more and more upset. The house becomes more and more chaotic.
Actually, this song was written in England during the Roman Catholic persecution, under King Henry VIII. It was written to teach children their faith which they could not practice openly. Of course Catholic monarchs did their share of persecuting when it was their turn to rule England.
In the private manor where Mary, Queen of Scots, often stayed, up a tiny curved stairway, there is a secret room. A priest would come and celebrate the Mass for her and her small entourage.
On the First day of Christmas, my true love (God) gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree (Christ on the cross).
The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.
The three French hens stand for the Trinity or gifts of the Magi.
The four calling birds are the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five gold rings recall the Pentateuch, or first five books of the Old Testament.
Six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a swimming represent the seven miracles 'in John's gospel.
Eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.
Twelve drummers drumming symbolizes the twelve points made in the Apostles' Creed.