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

23 comments:

  1. 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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    1. 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

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

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  4. 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. 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. 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

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  6. 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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  7. Very interesting, I had not read this before.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  13. 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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Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor