Why Ruin a Perfectly Good

Song about materialism and bragging about the loot our husbands get us with Christmas symbolism? Oh… it’s a CHRISTMAS song. One imagines that perhaps there are more important things to think about this time of year.

OK, so I’m sure everyone has seen the forward on the 12 days of Christmas and its religious symbolism. The story goes that back in the day, either King Charles or Oliver Cromwell (depending on your Christian denomination) banned religious Christmas music. So, either the persecuted Puritans or persecuted Catholics (see above caveat) made up “The 12 Days of Christmas” to communicate truths about the Christian faith. Of course, since the internet says it is true, it really must be so. But it is a fun exercise anyway.

What, do you think I’m actually going to tell the answers now? Nope. Let’s see what you can come up with:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree:
Two Turtle Doves:
Three French Hens:
Four Calling Birds:
Five Golden Rings:
Six Geese A Laying:
Seven Swans A Swimming:
Eight Maids A Milking:
Nine Ladies Dancing:
Ten Lords A Leaping:
Eleven Pipers Piping:
Twelve Drummers Drumming:
The True Love:

Here’s a hint… you’re actually counting things. So, this is not “God likes the number seven.” And, even though this is a Lutheran Blog, my guess is the Catholic Catechism would help you more. (Which makes me more inclined to believe it was under the persecution of Oliver Cromwell that the Catholics made this song, should the urban legend be true.)

I’ll post the answers later and also some alternatives I’ve come up with. Leave your suggestions in the comments at that time. No fair ruining the game for anyone else or I will ban you from commenting. Of course, if you would like to post your answers on your blog, I’m not stopping you. You may put the link in the comments after I have posted the answers.