THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

[FAITH]

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.

 

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

http://afministry.ning.com/