Imported European wines were very expensive, and rich people bought lots of wine for Christmas as a way to show off their wealth. Because of this, people celebrated by drinking a lot of wine. The third day of Christmas was the Feast of St John, who was said to have miraculously drunk a glass of poisoned wine without becoming ill. They also enjoyed mince pies and gingerbread. Brussels sprouts might even have been on the Tudor Christmas Day menu – the first reference to them is from 1538. It was so popular at court that at Greenwich Palace, extra cooking space had to be added to make more! For poorer people, meat was a luxury that they often could not afford, but at Christmas, they would have goose as a festive treat.Īlongside the meat, both rich and poor people ate pies, stuffing, frumenty (a kind of sweet porridge made with wheat, eggs, milk, spices, fruits and sugar) and puddings. It was made using pork or boar meat, served sliced and decorated with herbs and fruits. Then, there were roasted meats like boar, venison and birds, as well as brawn, a Tudor Christmas favourite. Plum porridge (a thick meat broth made with plums, spices, dried fruits and wine) was served first. At court, Henry VIII wore new clothes on Christmas Day, and new things were given to royal attendants and servants too.Īfter going to church in the morning, people sat down to their Christmas feast. Church bells rang, candles were lit, and at last the celebrations could begin! Everyone wore their best clothes. Because people were not meant to work over Christmas, women would decorate household items like spinning wheels, so that they would be unable to use them until after the 12 days.Ĭhristmas Day, the first day of Christmas, began with Midnight Mass. It was considered good luck to bring them into the home on Christmas Eve, but bad luck to do it any earlier. The green plants, still growing even in winter when other plants had died, were thought to symbolise eternal life. On Christmas Eve, people decorated their homes with whatever greenery they could find growing, including holly, ivy, mistletoe and other evergreens that are still popular at Christmas today.
This meant not eating meat, cheese or eggs – and it must have made the thought of a big Christmas Day feast even more exciting!Įveryone, even poorer people, stopped working for 12 days starting on Christmas Day. Twelve drummers drumming: the twelve points of belief in The Apostles’ Creed.While today many people enjoy chocolate advent calendars to count down the days to Christmas, Tudor people fasted for four weeks leading up to it. Ten lords a-leaping: the Ten Commandments.Įleven pipers piping: the eleven faithful Apostles. Nine ladies dancing: the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-25.
Seven swans a-swimming: the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.Įight maids a-milking: the eight beatitudes.
Six geese a-laying: six days of creation. Three French hens: the three theological virtues - faith, hope, and love.įour calling birds: the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.įive golden rings: the first five books of the Old Testament (The Pentateuch) these books describe man’s fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior. Two turtle doves: the Old and New Testaments In the first verse of the song we essentially proclaim, “On the first day of Christmas, Jesus gave us Himself.” The total, self-giving love of Christ is the first and best gift of our faith. My True Love: (As in, “On the _ day of Christmas my True Love gave to me …”) This is not a romantic “true love,” but the ultimate True Love - Jesus ChristĪ partridge in a pear tree: This also represents Jesus. There is some debate on the original meaning and intent of this song, but the lyrical symbolism remains to be a beautiful tool for exploring our faith, particularly through the season of Christmas.
12 days of christmas plus#
The familiar song, The 12 days of Christmas has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning that represents tenants of the Christian Faith.
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