The Twelve Days Of Christmas

Subject: 12 Days of Christmas

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. Have you ever wondered about
"The Twelve Days of Christmas"?

Me, too! So, what in the name of our Lord Jesus do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans and a partridge in a pear tree have to do with Christmas?? Interestingly, from 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. So someone during this era wrote this famous carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It was written with two levels of meaning: the obvious, frivolous surface meaning plus a hidden religious meaning known only to the members of the Church. Each element of the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could easily remember.

Here's the mystery unfolded:

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, the first five books of the Old Testament.

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 of Jesus.

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

So there you go! You're history and faith lesson for this Season! This interesting, enlightening and inspirational material was shared with me and I wanted to bless you with this revelation!

"Merry Christmas"