The 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics – Two Versions, One Deeper Meaning
Sunday, October 05, 2025
Key Takeaways:
- Two versions, one message — The traditional 12 Days of Christmas is joyful and whimsical, while Our Father Gave to Us teaches core truths of the Christian faith.
- A song born from faith — Inspired by the legend of hidden catechesis, the new lyrics were recorded by the “Carpool Choir” with heart, not perfection.
- Each day has deeper meaning — From the Trinity to the Beatitudes, the song guides families to Keep Christ in Christmas, all 12 days long.
- Faith transforms the season — When families focus on prayer, crafts, and Christ-centered traditions, Christmas becomes a season of joy, not just a single day.
- Resources to help you celebrate — Ornament kits, banners, and the Live the 12 Days Challenge bring the song into daily family life.
If you’re searching for the lyrics to “The 12 Days of Christmas,” you’re not alone! This whimsical and beloved Christmas carol has been sung for generations — but did you know there’s more to it than just golden rings and turtle doves?
Below, you'll find both the traditional version and a fresh, faith-filled adaptation we created for families who want to celebrate all 12 Days of Christmas with deeper meaning, joy, and purpose.
Let’s take a look…
Traditional 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics
Here’s the classic version, often sung by carolers, choirs, and schoolchildren during the Christmas season:
The 12 Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
- A Partridge in a Pear Tree
- Two Turtle Doves
- Three French Hens
- Four Colly Birds (or Calling Birds)
- Five Golden Rings
- Six Geese-a-Laying
- Seven Swans a-Swimming
- Eight Maids-a-Milking
- Nine Ladies Dancing
- Ten Lords-a-Leaping
- Eleven Pipers Piping
- Twelve Drummers Drumming
It's a fun, tongue-twisting song — and whether you sing it with your kids or hear it on the radio, it’s hard not to smile.
Our Father Gave To Us: A Faith-Filled Alternative
But there’s another version of this song… one that teaches the core truths of our Christian faith, one day at a time.
Several years ago, after learning the legend that “The 12 Days of Christmas” may have once been used to secretly teach the Catechism, I felt inspired to write a new version. And so, with the help of my carpool choir and a kind-hearted producer, Our Father Gave To Us The 12 Days of Christmas was born.
Here are the lyrics to our version:
Our Father Gave To Us The 12 Days of Christmas
- A Savior in the Manger
- Two Testaments
- Three in One (the Trinity)
- Four Gospel Preachers
- Five Holy Books (Pentateuch)
- Six Creation Days
- Seven Sacred Gifts (of the Holy Spirit)
- Eight Blessed Beatitudes
- Nine Choirs of Angels
- Ten Good Commandments
- Eleven Faithful Apostles
- Twelve Teachers Teaching (Articles of Faith)
This version is packed with theology, Scripture, and wonder — and it’s all designed to help children and families Keep Christ in Christmas, all 12 days long.
Behind the Scenes: A Simple Song with a Powerful Mission
Recording Day – The Carpool Choir
Ted Turner and the Choir Kids
Learning the Song in One Take
Making Music, Making Memories
Yes — those are real photos from the day we recorded the song! We called ourselves The Carpool Choir because, well, that’s exactly what we were. Just a group of moms and kids who believed in something bigger.
With the help of Ted Turner, a former rock-and-roll guitarist (and friend of my father), we recorded the song in one afternoon — start to finish, rehearsals and all. It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t perfect. But it was filled with heart.
And it all started with one goal:
✨ To help families rediscover the real 12 Days of Christmas — and to do it together.
How Faith-Filled Lyrics Can Transform Your Christmas
So why does it matter?
Because when we shift our focus from frantic gift-giving to the gifts of our faith, everything changes.
- Christmas becomes a season, not just a day.
- Families gather for prayer and crafts, not just presents.
- The light of Christ stays with us through Epiphany — and beyond.
At CatholicSmile, we’ve built a whole set of resources around this idea — including:
- The 12 Days Ornament Kit
- The Hearth Banner & Song Sheet
- The Challenge to Celebrate All 12 Days
And it all started with this song.
Want to Sing Along or Share?
You can listen to the song, download the lyrics, and even make your own ornaments for each day.
Visit us at www.HowToKeepChristInChristmas.com to get the full bundle — or look for the Our Father Gave To Us The 12 Days of Christmas Ornament Kit Book on Amazon.
Whether you sing the traditional version or our Catholic one, may your home be filled with joy and meaning this Christmas — all 12 Days of it.
With love and Christmas joy,
Rebecca Treon Even
CatholicSmile.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Christmas isn’t meant to be crammed into one frantic day but lived fully through the 12 days from December 25 to Epiphany. By embracing prayer, tradition, and faith-filled family practices, we move from frenzy to fruitfulness and keep Christ at the heart of the season.
The moral lesson of Christmas is that redemption is God’s gift of joy through the Incarnation of His Son. By living the full 12 days with prayer, gratitude, and service, we keep Christ at the center and share His love with the world.
By embracing the Church’s rhythm—preparing in Advent and celebrating all 12 days of Christmas through prayer, reflection, and faith-filled traditions—you can turn fleeting frenzy into lasting joy.
Hi, I am Rebecca Even
CEO Of A.M.D.G. Productions LLC
Catholic author, Speaker, Songwriter but not a singer, Rebecca Even is a wife and mother with a passion for working with women especially mothers of all ages.
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