12 Days of Crhistmas Deciphered

[Studlover (imported)]

(There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.

I'm not old enough to be a disbeliever so it works for me)!

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?

Well, I finally found out, "Thanks to The Internet".

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.

Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

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.

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.

Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

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 I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.

[Bagoas (imported)]

BAH ! Nothing spoils a pretty song more than being interpreted or "explained." Now, I suppose that someone will exhume that old chestnut of the Bible in a deck of cards, in which every card in every suit is given some kind of religious point. BAH, Humbug !

[Studlover (imported)]

BAH ! Nothing spoils a pretty song more than being interpreted or "explained." Now, I suppose that someone will exhume that old chestnut of the Bible in a deck of cards, in which every card in every suit is given some kind of religious point. BAH, Humbug !

Well, EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE me!

Studlover

[kristoff]

Well, EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE me!

Studlover

Excused!

Some folks just get temperamental this time of year - lack of sunlight, you know.

[Studlover (imported)]

Excused!

Some folks just get temperamental this time of year - lack of sunlight, you know.

Next time I will post something from The National Enquirer....a higher intellectual scale for some people. Scheesch.

Studlover

[kb57z (imported)]

BAH ! Nothing spoils a pretty song more than being interpreted or "explained." Now, I suppose that someone will exhume that old chestnut of the Bible in a deck of cards, in which every card in every suit is given some kind of religious point. BAH, Humbug !

Actually, Studlover was quoting the bowdlerised version, which conceals the original meaning (a bit like the way that Christmas hides the older Saturnalia.)

The older form has Three Red Nuns, Five P/A Rings, and as for what the Ten Darth Paolos where up to, or what the Eight Maids were actually a-milking.....