Most people know of The Twelve Days of Christmas from the song of that
 name.  When most people hear of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" they
 think of the song.  This song had its origins as a teaching tool  to
 instruct
 young people in the meaning and content of the Christian faith.  It is
 more than just a list of twelve silly gifts.  Catholics in  England
 during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited by law to practice their
 faith either in public or private.  It was illegal to be Catholic.
 [Note:  Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England in 1829]

 "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the
 "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the basics of their
 faith.  In short, it was a memory aid.  Since the song sounded like
 rhyming nonsense, young Catholics could sing the song without fear of
 imprisonment.  The authorities would not know that it was a religious
 song.

 On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. a partridge in a

 pear tree.  The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an
 earthly suitor, but it refers to the One who loves all people, God.  The

 "me" who receives the presents refers to every person willing to receive

 what the Greatest Giver has to offer.  The "partridge in a pear tree"
 was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God.

 The "two turtle doves" are the Old and New Testaments - another gift
 from God.

 The "three French hens" were faith, hope, and love - the three gifts of
 the Spirit that abide.  Our faith is what sustains us.  Hope is what we
 receive as a result of our faith.  God's love is forever.

 The "four calling birds" were the four Gospels which sing the song of
 salvation through Jesus Christ.

 The "five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible also
 called the books of Moses, the Law, the Torah, or the Pentateuch

 The "six geese-a-laying" were the six days of creation.

 The "seven swans a swimming" were  "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit."

 The "eight maids a milking" were the eight beatitudes.  They are eight
 statements reminding us of the virtues Christ taught and the way to
 implement those virtues.

 The "nine ladies dancing" were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

 The "ten lords-a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments.

 The "eleven pipers piping" were the eleven faithful disciples.

 The "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of the Apostles'
 Creed.