The real meaning of the carol the 12 days of Xmas

[jacketwatch]

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 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...so pass it on if you wish.'

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone

[Shari2]

That's really interesting, Larry...I have heard that before. That is a beautiful version. Here is another version of the meaning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Da...hristmas_(song)

[cruisetarp]

Very interesting information Larry and Shari -

[Longboysfan]

Thank you for posting that.