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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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 Posted: 12/17/02 - 18:10 Post subject: The 12 Days of Christmas
A great reminder to give thanks for our freedom to celebrate Christ
openly.... May God continue to bless you!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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.
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.
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