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?

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
represented Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves
represented the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens
stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds
represented 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
Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking
represented the eight beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Nine ladies dancing
represented the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithful-ness
Gentleness
Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping
represented the ten commandments.

I am The Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I The Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My Commandments."

You shall not take The Name of The Lord your God in vain; for The Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to The Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days The Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which The Lord your God gives you.

You shall not kill.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's.

The eleven pipers piping
stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

Simon Peter
Andrew
James
his brother John
Philip
Thomas
Matthew
James the son of Alphaeus
Simon
Thaddeus
Bartholomew

The twelve drummers drumming
symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

I believe in God the Father almighty,
I also believe in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord,
conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.
suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell,
rose again the third day,
ascended into heaven,
sat down at the right hand of the Father,
thence he is to come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the remission of sins,
the resurrection of the flesh and life eternal.



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...

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The modern version of the Twelve Days of Christmas

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Account frozen...

The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is actually Christian Doctrine in Code-Fiction!

Thanks Misfit always looking for more info
your proof is only a web site KNOWN for not bieng 100% right about there facts
as the song came into life long before you me or computers so I don't think anyone can truly know it's rightful orign
but the story that was passed on to me made me smile it lifted a load off my shoulder for awhile as the holidays are not always so cheerful
I was thankful and wanted to share it so as to maybe lift someone up who was feeling down
why is it that everywhere I have posted this there are the few who just want to cut all things down and never build anything

I will PRAY for you that one day you will see the light and maybe accepct that
we may not need to always know the full story just be happy for the story
or in laymans terms don't pluck the wings off the fly to see how it flys just know it can and does by Gods grace and power

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The modern version of the Twelve Days of Christmas

Thank You Dogbytes I love parody songs

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Well, the symbolism angle certainly makes sense, even if its origins seem suspect. Personally, I just like the song...

Although, I rather prefer the version by Bob and Doug McKenzie.

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your proof is only a web site KNOWN for not bieng 100% right about there facts

Snopes is pretty thorough. This is what they have to say. The twelve days of christmas

Edit: And as far as parodies go, Bob and Doug Mackenzies version is my favorite. ;)

'Please see the Religious [5] thread. I think you would do well there.'

You mean the 'atheists who lure in and attack Christians for cheap entertainment' thread?


It may not be Armageddon yet, but GOD sure did see the future... ;)

You mean the 'atheists who lure in and attack Christians for cheap entertainment' thread?

Atheists attacking christians? Now that will be history turned upside down. Noone has attacked, persecuted, prosecuted and killed more than "christians" in the last 1800 years. I rest my case.

'Please see the Religious [5] thread. I think you would do well there.'

You mean the 'atheists who lure in and attack Christians for cheap entertainment' thread?

Ahh, you've spotted our trap then, baited with the sweet honey of being able to save our souls from eternal hellfire and damnation. You just can't resist can you? he he.

@Prognatus: Yeah, you tell em!

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Reality Internet Personality

I need to say I'm sorry to Misfit and the rest of the members

I was at my wits end have spent a good part of the day responding to E-Mails about this post.

Some folks took it upon them self to E-mail me and not post in the thread as I had posted this story in several forums.

I have gone over board in some of my replies I meant no disrespect to any member in my postings or any of the E-mails.

It's been a really bad year for me with the hurricane season I live in South Florida USA.

I wanted to share something that raised my spirits.

I should never have snapped at any of the posters the way I did in this or any of the other forums.

I hope all have a
Happy Holiday Season
Stephen Homer

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Hi Stephen.

I'm sorry to read that you have had a bad year, and by putting that meaning in this song gave you peace and comfort.

But you also must understand that your retorics in your post here saying that you "would PRAY for us that one day we will see the light" may tick some of us off, as we have had our share of people coming here to tell us that they'll be praying for us to see the light of some kind. And most of these people wanted us to see their definition of light, which, to put it mildly, have been more darkness than light to be seen, according to religious zealotry.

But I think it's nice of you to appologize and explain why you reacted so fierce to information about your theory about this song. But again, I'm happy that it gave you comfort to think of.

I wish you a happier next New Year! :-)

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"I'm trying to maintain a shred of dignity in this world." - Me

'Noone has attacked, persecuted, prosecuted and killed more than "christians" in the last 1800 years. I rest my case.'


I think you're confusing the word Christian with the word hypocrite.

Even Hitler thought he was doing GOD a service.

A true Christian knows better...


It may not be Armageddon yet, but GOD sure did see the future... ;)

No confusion here. Read the history and learn. You may have to take some breaks now and then just to puke, though.

'Noone has attacked, persecuted, prosecuted and killed more than "christians" in the last 1800 years. I rest my case.'


I think you're confusing the word Christian with the word hypocrite.

Even Hitler thought he was doing GOD a service.

A true Christian knows better...


It may not be Armageddon yet, but GOD sure did see the future... ;)

It was Christians that came up with this lovely book The Malleus Maleficarum detailing how to torture witches and other non-Catholics. Not for the faint hearted. It is really sick.

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Reality Internet Personality

Thanks for the info I think I had a few teachers that did there training during the Inquisition and putting it into practice I still have a scare on the back of my hand from a wicked ruler

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Christian

1. Pertaining to Christ or his religion; as, Christian
people.
[1913 Webster]

2. Characteristic of Christian people; civilized; kind;
kindly; gentle; beneficent.
[1913 Webster]



hypocrite

n : a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he does not
hold [syn: dissembler, phony, phoney, pretender]


Hmmm... (An education is a wonderful thing)

Christian

1. Pertaining to Christ or his religion; as, Christian
people.

That's them! The same guys who did the evil things to our forefathers and -mothers during the last 1800 years.

2. Characteristic of Christian people; civilized; kind;
kindly; gentle; beneficent.

Don't make me laugh...

hypocrite

n : a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he does not
hold [syn: dissembler, phony, phoney, pretender]

Also fits on them same guys who call themselves "christians". :o)

Please be careful Jeffery. I too consider myself a Christian but have learned that prosletizing to those unwilling to hear at the moment does a lot more harm than good. It closes people's ears for a long time. Perhaps forever.

Remember that "truth" is the most subjective thing you can discuss with someone. What you and I consider to be true is no more or less valid than an opposing belief. The operative word being valid. Truth fosters belief but belief does NOT make truth. At least not in this world.

Prognatus' statement is based on a strong element of fact. The Crusades were one of the most horrific series of crimes of murder, rape, theft and wanton destruction ever seen in that or any other age. It was visited on those people in the name of Christianity but was, in truth, founded on ruthless expansionism. Yet the Crusaders conisdered themselves no less Christian for their crimes.

The early Church was a primary influence in the development of modern civilization as the feudal system and isolated rural existence began to collapse. The Church helped provide rules, leadership and structure in the many new cities that were cropping up all over western Europe fostered by easier travel and changing comerce. BUT this structure was generally founded and enforced by fostering fear of retribution both here on Earth and in the afterlife. For goodness sake, they even went so far as to invent Pergatory and allowed rich people to "buy" years off their "Pergatorial Sentence" in exchange for cash donations! How ludicrous! Frankly I see it as criminal; both deception and the greed.

None the less a person has a right to any belief system they choose and ought never to be called wrong for it.

Just for a different perspective, you may want to read "Job: A Comedy of Justice" by Robert Heinlein. It is likely to give you pause.

By the way, it's "colly birds" not "calling birds" - colly meaning "dark or black". They sound a lot alike and since nobody uses "colly" anymore upon hearing "colly" it is understandable how the transposition to a familiar word, "calling", took place.

Happy Holidays all!

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Without love, breath is just a clock ... ticking.
Equilibrium

By the way, it's "colly birds" not "calling birds" - colly meaning "dark or black". They sound a lot alike and since nobody uses "colly" anymore upon hearing "colly" it is understandable how the transposition to a familiar word, "calling", took place.

the word colly (collie) is still in use - its a type of sheepdog with a dark coat.
I didnt know thats what the word meant until now though.

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