The Twelve Days of Christmas (and their possible meanings -supposedly it was used as a memory-aid when writing these things down could send you for the chop)

The twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany  (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th).

• 1 Partridge in a pear tree = The One true God.
• 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
• 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
• 4 Calling Birds = The Four Gospels (and/or the Four Evangelists)
1. Matthew
2. Mark
3. Luke
4. John
• 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy
• 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
• 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
  1. prophecy
  2. ministry
  3. teaching
  4. exhortation
  5. giving
  6. leading
  7. compassion
• 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitude (Matthew 5:3-10)
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit
2. those who mourn
3. the meek
4. those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
5. the merciful
6. the pure in heart
7. the peacemakers
8. those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.
• 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit .  (Galatians 5:22)
1. love
2. joy
3. peace
4. patience
5. kindness
6. generosity
7. faithfulness
8. gentleness
9. self-control
• 10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
1. You shall have no other gods before me
2. Do not make an idol
3. Do not take God's name in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath Day
5. Honor your father and mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not bear false witness
10. Do not covet.
• 11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles (Luke 6:14-16).  The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the Romans.
1. Simon Peter
2. Andrew
3. James
4. John
5. Philip
6. Bartholomew
7. Matthew
8. Thomas
9. James bar Alphaeus
10. Simon the Zealot
11. Judas bar James. 
• 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
  1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
  2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
  3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
  4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave].
  5. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
  6. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
  7. I believe in the Holy Spirit
  8. the holy catholic Church
  9. the communion of saints
  10. the forgiveness of sins
  11. the resurrection of the body
  12. and life everlasting.