The 12 Reflections of Christmas

Introduction

Explore the twelve days of Christmas through a series of reflections inspired by the carol’s gifts. Each day draws out its spiritual meaning—rooted in scripture, honest about our broken world, and full of hope.

Step in day by day, or journey through the series at once, and receive a quiet blessing for each day: for presence, compassion, and the courage to live faithfully in our time.

Sign up for reflections direct to your inbox from 25th December.*

The Reflections

Each reflection will appear here throughout the 12 Days of Christmas (25th December 2025 to 5th January 2026) or sign up to receive them into direct to your inbox.

  • A Partridge in a Pear Tree
    On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree. Traditionally, the partridge in the pear tree represents Jesus Christ…
  • Two Turtle Doves
    On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two turtle doves. The two turtle doves are often said to represent the Old and New Testaments—two voices, held together, telling the long and unfinished story of God and humanity…
  • Three French Hens
    On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two turtle doves. The three French hens are traditionally understood to represent faith, hope, and love (charity)—the enduring virtues at the heart of Christian life…
  • Four Calling Birds
    On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four calling birds… These four are said to represent the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—four distinct tellings of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus…
  • Five Gold Rings
    On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me five gold rings. The five gold rings are often understood to represent the first five books of the Old Testament—the Torah, or Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy…
  • Six Geese a-Laying
    On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six geese a-laying. The six geese a-laying are said to represent the six days of Creation…
  • Seven Swans a-Swimming
    On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me seven swans a-swimming. The seven swans a-swimming have been understood to represent the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit…
  • Eight Maids a-Milking
    On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking. The eight maids a-milking are said to represent the Eight Beatitudes, spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount…
  • Nine Ladies Dancing
    On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing. The nine ladies dancing have often been associated with the Fruit of the Spirit..
  • Ten Lords a-Leaping
    On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten lords a-leaping. The ten lords a-leaping have traditionally been linked with the Ten Commandments…
  • Eleven Pipers Piping
    On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping. The eleven pipers piping have traditionally been linked with the eleven remaining apostles—the witnesses who continued after betrayal, loss, and profound failure…
  • Twelve Drummers Drumming
    On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming. The twelve drummers drumming have been linked both to the Twelve Tribes of Israel and to the Twelve Points of the Apostles’ Creed—two ways of speaking about a people held together by story, memory, and hope…
  • Epiphany
    Not a Thirteenth Day, but a Beginning The twelve days of Christmas do not end with answers. They end with a people gathered—marked by story, shaped by practice, learning how to live gently in a fractured world. Then comes Epiphany…

*After 5th January 2026 you will continue to receive the latest blog posts from thebrokenchurch.net, you can unsubscribe at any time following the link at the end of your email.