December 13, 2008

• The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ

  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 you know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol…so pass it on if you wish.’
  
  Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone  

   

  Huggs…Sassy
  

  • 12:23 pm
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