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Doozie870
12-16-2007, 07:23 PM
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

The Twelve Days of Christmas is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled
me. What in the world do Leaping Lords, French Hens, Swimming Swans, and
especially the partridge that won't come out of the pear tree have to do
with Christmas? Today I found out.


From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to
practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a
catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the
surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the
children could remember : The partridge in a Pear Tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the
Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit;
Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and
Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy,
Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self
Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the
Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I
found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song
became a Christmas Carol. Pass it on if you wish. My gift to you..Have a
blessed Christmas!

Avanti
12-16-2007, 07:58 PM
That's cool I had no idea

obrien
12-16-2007, 10:32 PM
I never expected that song to be that old.