Did you know that the famous Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is now believed by a number of historians to be a hymn incognito? During the reign of England's Queen Elizabeth I, who happened to be a very staunch Protestant, Catholics were not allowed to many of the privileges that once were afforded them. An unknown clever priest found a unique way to teach the essentials of the Catholic faith to Catholic children by disguising their beliefs in a hymn we now know as "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Here is what the symbolism once meant.
True Love gave to me - what God the Father gives to believers.
Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus crucified on the cross.
Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments.
Three French Hens - Faith, Hope and Love.
Four Calling Birds - Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
Five Gold Rings - The first 5 books of the Bible, the Pentateuch.
Six Geese a Laying - Six days of creation.
Seven Swans a Swimming - Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Eight Maids a Milking - Eight Beatitudes found in Matthew 5.
Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine choirs of angels.
Ten Lords'a Leaping - Ten Commandments.
Eleven Pipers Piping - Eleven Faithful apostles.
Twelve Drummers Drumming - Twelve Articles of the Apostles' Creed.
I hope you think about these twelve gifts of Christmas beginning with Christmas day and the eleven days that follow Christmas. Let it be a time to reflect on the gifts that God has given us, and be thankful. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
- Dennis
