Batasmedia

 History
of a Christmas carol 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 ???

Today I 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.

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.