The Twelve Days of Christmas

I received an email at work this week that I found very interesting, and I wanted to share. If you are like me, when you hearing the carol, the Twelve Days of Christmas, you probably cringe, and promtly tune out -- or change the channel. Well, the email I received had some interesting information about this traditional Christmas carol that I thought might help you to rethink your response to this particular song.

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 the 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:

1. The partridge in a pear tree was a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ.

2. The two turtle doves were a representation of the Old, and the New Testaments.

3. The three french hens represented the three foundations of belief: Faith, Hope, and Love.

4. The four calling birds were a reminder of the four Gospels of the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

5. The five golden rings are the anchor of the religious law, the Torah's first five books: Genesis, Exodous, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

6. The six laying geese were a reminder of the six days in which God created the heavens, and the Earth.

7. The seven swimming swans represented the gifts of the Spirit, specifically: Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

8. The eight milking maids were a reminder of the beatitude teachings of Jesus Christ.

1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kindom of heaven."

2. "Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted."

3. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth."

4. "Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."

5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."

8. "Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

9. The nine dancing ladies is a reminder of the nine fruits of the spirit, as taught by Paul: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

10. The ten leaping lords represent the Ten Commandments.

11. The eleven leaping lords represented the eleven faithful apostles.

12. The twelve drummers drumming are a reminder of the twelve points of belief as found in the apostles creed.