Ephiphany! https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/42565054
This is all from friend Karen’s postings on fb and her blog….. Love it! 
Merry (first day of) Christmas!
There is a misconception that the twelve days of Christmas are those days that lead up to December 25. Not true! Today, Christmas Day, is the first day of Christmas! The 12 days go through the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as “Twelfth Day.”
In the olden, golden days, the twelve days of Christmas were a period of joyful prayer and a rest from unnecessary labor. Christmas tree lights would be lit and families would gather around the manger to share prayers and carols.
The pear tree signifies the wood of the manger, and also that of the cross. The fruit reminds us of the reason for the Incarnation: God’s desire to saves us from the sin introduced by Adam and Eve consuming the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. The fruit is also a reminder of the Tree of Life in the midges of the Garden.
https://www.crazycatladymews.com/category/christmas/12-days-of-christmas/
Keep reading under the cut for the rest of the days!
Why a partridge in a pear tree?
Merry 2nd Day of Christmas!
Why Two Turtle Doves on the second day of Christmas?
The two doves represent the two parts of the Bible: Old Testament and New Testament.
3 French hens, 2 Turtle doves & a Partridge in a pear tree!
Merry 3rd Day of Christmas!
The three hens represent the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. These were given from God and poured into our hearts.
The three hens are also symbolic of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Merry Fourth Day of Christmas!
Four Calling Birds represent the four Gospels and Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
~Norman Vincent Peale
Merry 5th Day of Christmas!
Why Five Golden rings on the Fifth Day of Christmas?
Five Golden Rings are symbolic of the Pentateuch, the first five Books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.
He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
~Roy L. Smith
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Merry 6th Day of Christmas!
Six Geese a-Laying represent the six days of creation:
1st Day: Creation of light and its separation from darkness
2nd Day: Creation of the firmament and division of the waters
3rd Day: Collection of waters (sea) and formation of dry land (earth); creation of plants according to their own likeness
4th Day: Creation of heavenly bodies in the firmament (sun, moon, and stars)
5th Day: Creation of sea creatures and winged fowl from the waters
6th Day: Creation of cattle, creeping things, and beasts from the dry land; creation of mankind, male and female.
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Merry 7th Day of Christmas!
Seven Swans a-Swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord
The seven swans also represent the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith:
Baptism
Confirmation
Holy Eucharist
Penance
Extreme Unction
Holy Orders
Matrimony
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Merry 8th Day of Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Why maids a-milking on the Eighth Day of Christmas?
This is to recall the eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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9 ladies dancing…
Merry 9th Day of Christmas!
The nine ladies dancing represent the nine choirs of angels. Here they are in ascending order:
Angels
Archangels
Principalities
Powers
Virtues
Dominations
Thrones
Cherubim
Seraphim
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Merry 10th Day of Christmas!
The ten lords represent the Ten Commandments. It is always a good time to have a refresher on that list, so here it is:
- I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before me.
- Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
- Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
- Honor thy father and mother.
- Thou shalt not kill.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
On the Tenth Day of Christmas
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Merry Eleventh Day of Christmas!
The eleven pipers represent the eleven faithful apostles: Simon Peter, James the Great, John, Simon (the Zealot), Jude (a.k.a. Thaddeus), Andrew, James the Less, Matthew, Phillip, Bartholomew, and Thomas.
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12 drummers drumming….
Merry 12th Day of Christmas!
The 12 drummers represent the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed.
Apostles’ Creed
(New translation for Catholic Church, effective Nov. 2011)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
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Get those Wise Guys ready! 
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