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Sunday, December 19, 2021

On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me...


On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...Jesus Christ on the Cross!

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.


Happy Christmas Season everyone!

Laura
Blessed to be a Blessing


~~~~~
~~~~~





Peaches and Salt No Rules
Written by Laura Lane at
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23 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 1, 2016 at 9:45 AM

    Boy, as a preacher's kid, you'd think I would know that.
    It's new to me, but makes perfect sense!
    Thanks for teaching me something new today, as you do most of the time!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageDecember 1, 2016 at 10:16 AM

      Hi Laurie,
      I never learned it in church either. I stumbled upon it a few years ago in my reading. I do love reading about Christmas!
      Christmas Blessings,
      Laura

      Delete
  2. GranthamLynnDecember 1, 2016 at 9:53 AM

    Great post! The Count Down To Christmas is 'live'! Come over and link up!
    http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/2016/12/count-down-to-christmas-link-party.html
    Have a great week!

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  3. Billie JoDecember 1, 2016 at 10:56 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing this, my friend!
    And have a cozy December day. : )

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  4. CherylDecember 1, 2016 at 12:18 PM

    Oh, my word. This is SO interesting. I had never heard of this. Thank you for sharing!! Big hugs to you today!

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  5. RhondaDecember 1, 2016 at 3:02 PM

    ❤️ Love this

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  6. God's Grace OverflowsDecember 1, 2016 at 6:33 PM

    Wow...didn't know this either. How very interesting. We never stop learning do we? Love it!
    Hubby and I are doing some Christmas shopping tomorrow and he has to get new glasses. It's just rough when we get older and start noticing the things we can no longer see clearly. ;)
    I'm slowing down and enjoying the season!
    Have a delightful week!
    Hugs, Amy

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    Replies
    1. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageDecember 2, 2016 at 7:50 AM

      This coming week will be rather busy, but I hope things will slow after that. I don't know why so many think they have to do things the first week of December. I would enjoy it all more if it were spread through the month.
      Be blessed!
      Laura

      Delete
  7. BethDecember 1, 2016 at 6:56 PM

    I had never heard this before. I never thought past the obvious when it came to the lyrics. Thanks for sharing it. I enjoy learning new things about old favorites. :)

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  8. annieDecember 1, 2016 at 8:33 PM

    Very interesting, I had not read this before.

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  9. handmade by amaliaDecember 1, 2016 at 11:44 PM

    I've only just realized that I never knew what was what. Thanks for sharing, Laura.
    Amalia
    xo

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    Replies
    1. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageDecember 2, 2016 at 7:46 AM

      What an interesting comment Amalia. ~grin~
      Happy Advent and Christmas season.
      Blessings,
      Laura

      Delete
  10. Sew Blessed Maw [Judy]December 2, 2016 at 4:36 AM

    Thanks for sharing this.. I never heard it before, but makes so much sense..

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  11. Laura of Harvest Lane CottageDecember 2, 2016 at 7:47 AM

    You're welcome. I hope you're enjoying your week. Be blessed!
    Laura

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  12. tara oliverDecember 5, 2016 at 4:34 PM

    This is very cool! Seems I knew of this, but didn't actually know the meanings. Thank you for sharing!

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  13. Carolyn @ Our Gilded AbodeDecember 23, 2016 at 10:50 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing! How very interesting!!

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  14. LindaDecember 21, 2021 at 2:29 AM

    Thanks for sharing this information Laura, I didn't know that about this song. It makes it even more special. Merry Christmas to you and your family ~ your friend Linda

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  15. Rajani RehanaDecember 24, 2021 at 8:29 AM

    Beautiful blog

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for writing me back!

This life only works with Jesus. The next life is a continuation of this one—make sure you spend it with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to God the Father!

Laura Lane

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