12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
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 out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas, so I did some research.
From 1558 until 1829, Christians in England were not to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a song for young Sunday School students. It has 2 levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus the hidden meaning known only to believers.
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 (1 Chorinthians:13)
Four calling birds were for the 4 Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Five gold rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
Six geese a-laying stood for the 6 days of creation (Genesis 1)
Seven swans' a-swimming represented 7 gifts (talents) -Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy (Romans 12:6-8)
Eight maids' a-milking were the 8 beatitudes (Matthew 5)
Nine ladies dancing were the 9 fruits of attitude --- Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control ( Galatians 5:22-23)
The ten lords' a-leaping were the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
The eleven pipers piping stood for the 11 faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers symbolized the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
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So there is your history lesson for today. Now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol. - Jim Gentile (amended)_
The angel said to them, "Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all People; for unto us is born this day in the City of /David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11_