In response to the Nov. 30 "Twelve Days' cost up a little," I'd like to suggest a little economic secret enabling even the most financially strapped ownership of the pricey Christmas list.

In 16th century England, the song was devised as a means to teach the tenets of the Catholic faith. I'm not Catholic but hold to these truths.

The "12 drummers drumming" refers to the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed.

The "11 pipers piping" refers to the 11 apostles (excluding Judas).

The "10 lords a leaping" are the Ten Commandments that God uses to assure us of our ability to not keep the law. Much like police count on speed limit signs to reveal our weakness to obey.

The "Nine ladies dancing" are the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Wouldn't you dance if such virtue were poured out on our lives?

The "eight maids a milking" are the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) that many mistake for extolling the virtues of poverty. To be "poor in spirit" is to see our own depravity apart from God.

The "seven swans a swimming" refers to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, the analogy of the ugly duckling turned swan is reflective of wicked men being regenerated into the image of God and the water washing away sin as in baptism.

The "six geese a laying" refers to the six days of creation that acknowledge God creator of all. The eggs hold life to be brought forth.

The "five golden rings" are to the Torah, better known to us as the first five books of the Old Testament, a history of God's chosen people to display God's redemptive love toward mankind's wickedness and failure. The gold ring, in my opinion, symbolized the high value God places on the Jews, that their people can't ever be extinguished — as a ring goes on eternally with no end.

The "four calling birds" are the four Gospels: Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. They invite all mankind into the household of faith.

The "three French hens" are the three virtues that mark the life of a believer: faith, hope and love.

The "two turtle doves" that fit each other snugly are the Old and New Testaments that contain the history of the world. The Old Testament is the foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. For example, every medical employee wears the symbol of Moses, the snake lifted up on a pole which is fulfilled in the son of man being lifted up and those who look to him will be saved. All believers in Jesus Christ are God's chosen people. God himself being the true love bringing all these gifts.

The ultimate gift God gives is free but the paradox is it will cost you your life, the old life that ruled with pride and selfishness for the new.

The partridge is Jesus who in Luke 13:34 cries out "Jerusalem how often have I sheltered you under my wings as a hen does her chicks." A partridge feigns death to draw away a would-be predator to protect her young. On the cross, Jesus ransomed mankind from the evil predator Satan. That is the real meaning of Christmas.