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Author
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Topic: History of the 12 Day of Christmas
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barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
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posted
Someone emailed this to me today...
From 1558 to 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 the 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 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.
>
> Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy
> Spirit
> - Prophecy, 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 - 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.
>
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Homebound
Advanced Member
Member # 1699
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posted
Meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas
I found this very interesting. Came from a newspaper article about the origins of the "12 days of Christmas." Some historians say the song was an underground form of religious education (like a code) to Christians being persecuted. Here are the meanings:
My true love: God. The song is about the gifts from God.
Partridge: Jesus.
Two turtle doves: The Old and New Testaments.
Three calling birds: Faith, hope, and charity.
Four calling birds: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - the Gospel writers.
Five golden rings: The first five books of the bible.
Six geese a-laying: The six days of creation according to the book of Genesis.
Seven swans a-swimming: The seven sacraments -- baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, marriage, Holy Orders, reconciliation, and last rites.
Eight maids a-milking: The eight beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount ("Blessed are the poor in spirit," etc.)
Nine ladies dancing: The fruits of the Holy Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Ten lords a-leaping: The Ten Commandments.
Eleven pipers piping: The Apostles (minus Judas)
Twelve drummers drumming: The articles of faith in the Apostle's Creed.
Posts: 40 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jun 2003
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