THE TWELVE DAYS of CHRISTMAS...the rest of the story!
As Paul Harvey might say .... you all are familiar with the Holiday song"
The 12 days of Christmas". But did you know the origin of the song?
In England, during the period from 1558 to 1829, Catholics were prohibited
under pain of death from
practicing their religion either publically or privately. Anyone found
with a Catholic bible or
Catechism would be drawn and quartered. To get around this law, a clever
Irish Priest penned the song
"The 12 days of Christmas" to serve as a verbal Catechism for Catholic
youngsters.
In the song "gifts" really refer to Catholic Teachings. And the "one true
love" is really Almighty God.
The "me" refers to baptized Catholics
The "Partridge in a Pear Tree" refers to Christ who once likened himself
(according to the New Testament) to a hen wishing to shelter its chicks
(Christians) "under its wings"
The other symbols meant the following :
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the
"Pentateuch", which givese the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven
sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's
Creed
Now, you know ....... " the rest of the story !!! "
Kevin M. Rudolph E-Mail: turbokev(AT)iglou.com
Kentucky Colonel WWW: http://members.iglou.com/turbokev
Louisville, Kentucky 40214 The Bluegrass State