This pewter bell series depicts each verse of the centuries old yuletide carol. Each verse of the song captures one day. The song was originally written when Catholics were forbidden to practice their faith in the 16th century in England. The Catholic movement went 'underground.' The Catholic doctrine was summarized and taught secretly through the Twelve Days of Christmas carol.

• The first day of Christmas - A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Represents Christ's Death and Resurrection. The partridge hen will lure enemies away from her defenseless chicks in order to protect them. Just as she sacrifices her life for her children, Christ did the same for us. The image of the pear tree symbolizes the Cross.
• The second day of Christmas - Two Turtle Doves - Represent the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Doves, of course, were also symbols of truth and peace, once again reinforcing the tie to Christ and Christmas.
• The third day of Christmas - Three French Hens - Represent the expensive gifts brought by the wise men (gold, frankincense and myrrh). French hens were expensive and fit for the King's table - thus the 3 gifts.
• The forth day of Christmas - Four Calling Birds - Represent the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Why calling birds? The Gospels 'trumpet' the story of Jesus from birth to death.
• The fifth day of Christmas - Five Golden Rings - Represent the Torah or Pentateuch (5 Books of Moses). The gifts were also to remind the singer not only of man's fall from grace due to sin, but the fact that a Savior would come to offer salvation and a path back to God.
• The sixth day of Christmas - Six Geese A Laying - Represents the six days of creation that God formed the world out of nothing in just 6 days. Just as eggs are the symbol for new life and creation, so the geese laying eggs presented the whole story of God moving His hand over the void to create life.
• The seventh day of Christmas - Seven Swans A Swimming - Represents the 'gifts of the Holy Spirit' - prophesy, service, teaching, ,encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy as discussed by Paul in his Epistle to the Romans 12:6-8. Catholic children were taught that when you walked with God, the gifts of the Spirit moved in your life as easily as a swan on water.
• The eighth day of Christmas - Eight Maids A Milking - Representing the common person whom Christ had come to serve and save. When the song was written, no job in England was lower than working in a barn, and for a female servant to be used in this way indicated that she was worth little to her master. Christ served people without regard to status, race, sex or creed. The number 8 also represents the beatitudes listed in Matthew 5: 3 - 10 Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemaker, and the righteous.
• The ninth day of Christmas - Nine Ladies Dancing - This dance taught the real joy and rewards of serving Christ (the Fruits of the Spirit): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
• The tenth day of Christmas - Ten Lords A Leaping - Represents the 10 Commandments
• The eleventh day of Christmas - Eleven Pipers Piping - Represents the remaining 11 disciples who took the message of Christ's life and resurrection to the world.
• The twelfth day of Christmas - Twelve Drummers Drumming - Represents the Apostles' Creed, the confession which contains a dozen different elements.

Our bell series is a limited edition. Only 500 will ever be made and hand numbered. Start your series today with the first bell and collect on each year for 12 years. Start a series for a family member or friend this year and you'll know to get for the next 11.