Read this story this morning. I cannot validate the authenticity of the information but thought I'd share. For Christians, any avenue to reenforce the basic tenets of our faith in a way our children could remember is good. Who doesn't recognize this song and sing along? The symbolism is beautiful regardless of where or why it originated.
From 1558 to 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.
MERRY (Twelve Days of) CHRISTMAS!
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