The Meaning behind the "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

Good Evening to All!

Several years ago,  my sister sent me an e-mail that I thought was very interesting. I don't know how many if any of you have ever seen this or already knew it, but I thought it was interesting enough to pass along, just in case. A bit of trivia if you will, or some of that useless information that we often collect in our memories to bring back up at such a time as needed to preoccupy our minds, or maybe it might be asked on a "game show" or contest that you enter. Anyway, here goes:

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens,
swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out

of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, 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 & John.










The five golden rings are called the The five golden 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...so pass it on if you wish.'

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone

I have often wondered about that song, but of course it was a fleeting thought (as most of mine are), so I would always forget to look it up.

Now you know if anyone happens to ask you.

 Good Night and May God Bless!