Today we went to a late-afternoon Christmas Concert at the First United Methodist Church in El Centro. And have you noticed that I said CHRISTMAS-Concert? Seems the churches are still allowed to call it by its right and correct name. Politically correct are the schools, not the churches. That's why Church and State should never be mixed up. Church is church and State is State. Basta!
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| Winter in New Hampshire Photo: Asta Jorgensen |
Like always I enjoyed the "12 days of Christmas" 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 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 now, fellow bloggers you might or might not have learned something as well.
Have a wonderful evening and next week - the last week in this year's Advent.
Thanks for stopping by!
I had no idea of the meaning of this song. I've just always thought it was fun. Thanks so much for the information.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard that before--thanks, I did learn something this morning.
ReplyDeleteWell who Knew!!! I've never heard that meaning before..I guess we are never too old to learn :) have a super week
ReplyDeleteI have never heard that explanation of the carol before-interesting:)
ReplyDelete