There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. Have you ever wondered about "THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"?
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? 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.
The "Two Turtledoves" were the Old and New Testaments.
The "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.
The "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.
The "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.
2007-01-01 14:14:17 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
That is absolutely amazing. I was also wondering what the heck was up with that dumb song. I'm gonna have to remember that for when Christianity is banned (coming soon to a nation near you).
2007-01-01 14:17:02 · answer #1 · answered by rockinjesusfreak03 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I had never heard that before. That is very interesting. Thank you for giving me a new look at an older carol. Would bet if school children tried to portray that version it would be stopped pronto!
2007-01-01 14:24:01 · answer #2 · answered by GPHS 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting, I can't believe so many people were given thumbs downs. I wonder how long til someone tries to get this pulled.
2007-01-01 14:47:21 · answer #3 · answered by mysticalviking 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good thing to know and will share it with other people in my life.
2007-01-01 14:25:59 · answer #4 · answered by lisa m/ no i think thats great 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm...interesting
2007-01-01 14:16:48 · answer #5 · answered by Huliganjetta 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hey! I like that! I vote you a point EASY for a great question (even though it is a comment...)
2007-01-01 14:20:00 · answer #6 · answered by Jay M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cool info ill pass it round
2007-01-01 14:18:01 · answer #7 · answered by Zach 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow i never knew that thank gosh i went to this question
2007-01-01 16:30:37 · answer #8 · answered by Zz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And where have you been????? This is common knowledge around here.
2007-01-01 14:47:07 · answer #9 · answered by istitch2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very enlightening - thank you
2007-01-01 14:17:11 · answer #10 · answered by kim 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋