click on image to enlargeThanks to a frequent contributor to RTE for sending this year's Christmas message. It provides meaning to the words of the Christmas carol known to us all – The Twelve Days Of Christmas – who have ever wondered what leaping lords, French hens, & swimming swans are all about & especially why each stanza always returned to the partridge in a pear tree.
The subject carol was developed in Medieval & Tudor England & takes us from the day after Christmas, the first of the Twelve Days of Christmas, to the Epiphany on January 6th, the Twelfth Night, which concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas.
The two turtle doves were the Old & New Testaments.
The three French hens stood for faith, hope, & love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.
The five golden rings represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin & the great love of God in sending a Savior.
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 were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-----Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.
The three French hens stood for faith, hope, & love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.
The five golden rings represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin & the great love of God in sending a Savior.
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 were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-----Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.
And, oh yes:
The partridge in a pear tree (i.e., the cross) is Jesus Christ.
Hello Carol and Doug - We were always wondering what that Christmas Carol meant. Good explanation!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year. All the best,
Always wondered myself what or if it meant something.
ReplyDeleteI also wondered about the words. I hope that the real meaning of the words does not become too well known-we would never hear it again because the Christmas Carol would be considered politically incorrect - too Christian. So sad.
ReplyDeleteDoug - Just read your RTE post on the 12 days of Christmas song. That is so amazing. I printed it out and will share it with my prayer group here at our Christmas party on Thurs. night. I know they will appreciate it as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I learned the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord (Awe)! Like mine better!
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