On the First Day of Christmas...

So here we are at the start of our new feature this Christmas where we will be bringing you something a little bit different for each of the '12 Days of Christmas' as we head towards January 6th when we celebrate the Epiphany. Today we start our reflections by looking at the religious symbolism of this very well known Christmas song:

There's no doubt you will have heard the song before but have you ever realised the religious symbolism behind each line? Take a look here as you listen to the song again and think about each of these very special meanings.

1 Partridge in a Pear Tree

One True Love refers to God

2 Turtle Doves

The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens

Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds

Gospels and the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings

First Five Books of the Old Testament called the 'Pentateuch'

6 Geese A-laying

Days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming

Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking 

The Beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping

Ten Commandments

11 Pipers Piping
Eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming
Twelve statements of belief in the Apostle's Creed