At its heart, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a hymn of praise to the Savior whose birth we celebrate. Each gift points to Him as the source and summit of our faith. The partridge in a pear tree-Christ on the Cross-sets the tone for the whole carol, reminding us that the joy of Christmas is rooted in the ultimate gift of love: God's gift of Himself. As St. John tells us, "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." This truth is the foundation of our faith and the reason for our joy. The carol invites us to reflect on this mystery, to celebrate it with hearts full of gratitude, and to share it with others.
 
In an age before widespread literacy, this song served as a mnemonic device to remember the essential truths of the faith found in the Apostles Creed. The richness of this carol is found in its mystical layers. As we unfold these verse by verse, we learn the symbolic meaning of each of gifts given by "my true love," from a pair of turtledoves to five golden rings.
 
92 pages
5.5" x 11"