Merry Christmas to Everyone!!
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge, who won't come outof the pear tree, have to do with Christmas?
Yeterday, I found out.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England
were not permitted to practice their faith openly.Someone, during that era, wrote this carol as aCatechism 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 areligious 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 ofMatthew, 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 seven fold 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 fruit 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 thetwelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. Did you learn something new? I sure did!!
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge, who won't come outof the pear tree, have to do with Christmas?
Yeterday, I found out.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England
were not permitted to practice their faith openly.Someone, during that era, wrote this carol as aCatechism 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 areligious 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 ofMatthew, 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 seven fold 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 fruit 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 thetwelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. Did you learn something new? I sure did!!
Kathie
xoxo
3 comments:
Merry christmas to you Kathie
I have often wondered about the twelve days of christmas now I know thanks to a wonderful new friend
luv Lexie oxo
Weren't they clever little munchkins back then to do all that and it be a secret from the others? Saved a lot of lives that way I guess. Thanks Kath.
Just want to say congrats to Kate on the bubs. And to wish all the ladies that have 2 things in common with me, scrapbooking and Kath, a very merry christmas and a happy, healthy and safe new year. Rosemary.
This is so interesting...will have to try to remember these. Have a wonderful NY. Thanks for following my blog. Looking foward to getting to know you and your blog better in the NY!! Xj.s.
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