The 12 Days of Christmas
submitted by FC Garrett

1. This is one Christmas Carol that has always baffledme.

2. 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?

3. Today I found out, thanks to the Internet.

4. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.

5. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

6. It has two levels of meaning: (a.) the surface meaning plus (b.) a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.

7. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

8. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

9. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

10. The French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

11. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

12. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first fivebooks of the Old Testament.

13. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

14. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

15. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

16. Nine ladies dancing were the nice fruits of the Holy spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

17. The 10 lords a-leaping were the 10 commandments.

18. The 11 pipers piping stood for the 11 faithful disciples.

19. The 12 drummers drumming symbolized the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

20. So, there is your history for today.

21. 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.