Twelve days of Christmas

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Three French Hens

These birds represent faith, hope, and love. This gift relates to 1 Corinthians 13, written by the Apostle Paul. It also represents the Holy Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Backyard poultry can help reduce food waste by consuming kitchen scraps, which would otherwise contribute to landfill waste and methane emissions. This can save an average family over 100kg of food waste per year, turning scraps into fresh eggs and compost.

Source: Unsustainable Magazine, 2024
Photo: French Hen

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Four Calling Birds

These songbirds represent the four Gospels

• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John.

Planting bird-friendly trees and shrubs enhances urban green spaces, providing habitats for various songbird species and contributing to urban biodiversity. Urban trees also improve air quality. Planting just four native trees can create oxygen for ten people each year!

Source: Natural History Museum
Photo: Blackbird

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Five Gold Rings

The gift of the gold rings represents the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch.

• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy.

Recycling gold reduces the environmental impact associated with gold mining, which is known to be environmentally destructive. Recycling five gold rings prevents five metric tons of mining waste?

Source: Financial Times, 2024
Photo: Gold Ringed Catsnake

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Six Geese a-Laying

These lyrics can be traced back to the first story found in the Bible. Each goose egg is a day in creation when God “hatched” or formed the world.

• God created the heavens and the earth
• God created the sky and seas
• God created the land and plants
• God created the sun, moon, and stars
• God created fish and birds
• God created land animals and man

Geese naturally control weeds, reducing the need for herbicides and preserving two metric tons of topsoil each year.

Source: The Poultry Site
Photo: Goose

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Seven Swans a-Swimming

Swans are one of the most beautiful and graceful birds and represent the seven spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit:

• Prophecy
• Ministry
• Teaching
• Exhortation
• Giving
• Leading
• Compassion

Wetlands, which support species like swans, are crucial in carbon sequestration and water purification. Wetlands filter seven million gallons of water annually and store carbon equivalent to four acres of forest.

Source: WWT
Photo: Swan

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Eight Maids a-Milking

Being a milkmaid was one of the worst jobs in England during this period; this code conveyed that Jesus cared as much about servants as he did those of royal blood. The Eight Maids represent the eight Beatitudes, from Matthew 5:3-10: Blessed are…

• the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Those who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
• The meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
• Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.
• The merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
• The pure in heart: for they shall see God.
• The peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
• They which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Producing a litre of dairy milk requires approximately 628 litres of water, while plant-based alternatives require significantly less. Soy milk requires around 28 litres of water per litre of milk. So, switching to plant-based milk is a small change with a significant impact.

Source: BBC, 2019
Photo: Soya plant

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Nine Ladies Dancing

These nine dancers were the gifts known as the fruit of the Spirit, which include:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

Dance studios and other buildings implementing energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. An energy-efficient studio saving 9,000 kWh per year, saves 6.4 metric tons of CO₂, the same as taking two cars off the road.

Source: Julies Bicycle
Photo: Dancing Cranes

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Ten Lords a-Leaping

As lords were judges and in charge of the law, this code for the Ten Commandments was fairly straightforward to Christians.

• Thou shall have no other gods before me
• Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
• Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy
• Honour thy father and mother
• Thou shalt not kill
• Thou shalt not commit adultery
• Thou shalt not steal
• Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour
• Thou shalt not covet

Energy-efficient building designs can substantially reduce CO₂ emissions compared to traditional construction methods. A green building can save ten metric tons of CO₂ annually.

Source: RIBA, 2021
Photo: Lords and Ladies Berries

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Eleven Pipers Piping

Most people think of the disciples in terms of the twelve. But when Judas betrayed Jesus, only eleven men carried out the gospel message. Therefore, the Eleven Pipers Piping signify the eleven faithful disciples:

• Simon (whom He named Peter)
• Andrew
• James
• John
• Philip
• Bartholomew
• Matthew
• Thomas
• James, son of Alphaeus
• Simon, who was called the Zealot
• Judas, son of James

Transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind power can significantly reduce household CO₂ emissions. Wind energy can cut eleven metric tons of CO₂ per household per year, the equivalent of planting 130 trees!

Source: Local Government Association
Photo: Piper

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Twelve Drummers Drumming

The final gift is related directly to the Catholic Church. The drummers are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed. 

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended into hell. On the third day, He rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
10. the forgiveness of sins,
11. the resurrection of the body,
12. and the life everlasting.

Using eco-friendly materials in manufacturing musical instruments can reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability in the arts. Eco-friendly materials for drums and other instruments can prevent 25kg of non-biodegradable waste.

Source: BBC Classical Music, 2022
Photo: Palm Cockatoo (uses a drumstick)