first

A partridge in a pear tree

On the first Day of Christmas my True Love gave to me – a PARTRIDGE in a PEAR TREE

The cornerstone of the Christian faith rests on two things: THE PARTRIDGE and the PEAR TREE.

The carol sung praises about the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany and all the gifts that were bestowed by a true love.  In the original Old French, the song says these gifts were “sent” (On the first Day of Christmas my True Love sent to me).  They were given by a benefactor that was far away.  The gifts symbolized true love and affection.

There is no doubt (especially since the First day of Christmas is Christmas DAY) that the PARTRIDGE in the carol is JESUS CHRIST, the only begotten Son of God.

The PEAR TREE signifies the Holy Scriptures, a book not commonly read in the 1700’s (literacy rates were low among the common folk) but accepted as the infallible words God breathed.  It is beautiful imagery that JESUS CHRIST is the partridge (the real gift inside of a gift) hidden among the gorgeous promises of the “pear tree”. 

This carol has been sung with many, many interpretations.  Few “hymnologists” dispute the significance of the first day’s gift.  Jesus Christ and the Scriptures are the cornerstone of our foundation – on which the faith of a Christian is built.

Ever notice how the pear tree (alive but firmly rooted before it bears fruit) is home to a bird that normally nests in the ground?  Jesus Christ came as a gift to us from our true love – He broke the boundaries of life and love, transcending heaven and earth.

The first and most important gift of Christmas is a gift within a gift.  

Thanks be to God!