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 everyone!
Laura
Blessed to be a Blessing
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Wow! I can't believe I have never heard the origin of this song. Thanks so much for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Nancy! Be blessed and well this Christmas!
DeleteWhat an interesting thing to learn. I don't think I every knew the meanings behind this song.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I found your post on Modest Mom today.
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie
Glad you enjoyed it Melanie! God bless you!
DeleteI never knew that their was a real reason behind that song. It thrills me to know that there is. Thanks for sharing this with us. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome Carol. I found it fascinating.
DeleteHappy Christmas!
I never heard that! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteHappy Christmas!
My dear friend, what you tell us about that Christmas song is very interesting. I am Catholic and I had no knowledge of it. I love to know.
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes of happiness for you and your whole family not only in these beautiful days, also for each day of your lives.
Peace, Love, Happiness and a lot of HEALTH !!! Dear friend...
Dolores
Dear Maria,
DeleteI am praying for you right now for the same things. May God give you peace and may you find happiness in your everyday life.
Happy Christmas!
Hello Laura~
ReplyDeleteI must say, I never knew the story behind that song, amazing the things we do not know.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones♡
Merry Christmas Debbie!
DeleteThis is amazing! So glad you shared it, and so glad I saw your post! Thank you Laura. I;m going to read it again!
ReplyDeleteShare it, too, if you'd like Penny.
DeleteHappy Advent season.
Laura
Good Morning, Merry Christmas!! Hope you are celebrating this joyous season! Think of you often! Hope to get a card out to you this week. This has been one busy year! I truly enjoyed the information you shared about this Christmas carol. It was so interesting! Where did you find it?
ReplyDeleteWe need to catch up!!
Much Love, Roxy
Actually Roxy, I wrote the original post in 2009. I don't remember my source. I was reading a lot about origins of Christmas back then. I guess I should have sited sources.
DeleteI haven't been visiting blogs a lot lately. Just seems like I can't get back in the swing of things. I continue to improve physically, so I guess it will all get better as time goes on. We do need to catch up!
Merry Christmas dear friend,
Laura
I was taught that, Laura! I was surprised to see how many posted that hadn't heard yet. I guess I think that everyone pretty much knows everything with the internet now. No idea why I'd think that because I sure don't!!! I was taught a little differently though. The 12 days of Christmas actually start on the 26th and end on January 6 with the Epiphany, the day the Magi arrive. Since I had a yucky Christmas childhood, that's how my husband and I celebrate it now. We give one gift on Christmas to signify the ultimate gift that God gave us. And, 3 more on Epiphany to celebrate the gifts from the Magi. Since we also have a little rhyme we use, adopted only several years ago, it works perfectly.
ReplyDeleteSomething you want,
Some you need,
Something to wear,
Something to read.
My husband thinks "Something to eat" should be in there, as well lol!
I'm glad you re-posted that. It's a great reminder of how lucky we are to be able to celebrate freely....and how important it is that we may continue to do so.
Hi Debby,
DeleteI know that most people think that the 12 Days of Christmas start before Christmas. I thought they started on Christmas Day and went through Epiphany, but I never counted the days before. I'm so glad you and your husband have made meaningful traditions for your family. We had to do that as first generation Christians, too.
God bless you and yours, and thanks for sharing!
Laura
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI am a little late with getting around to visiting friends blogs, hence the late comment. However..this post is wonderful. I've sung that hymn for years and never knew their was a deeper meaning to it - how wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this. Merry Christmas to you dear Laura ~ your friend Linda
Thank you Laura, I never knew this meaning. Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Bless you and your family!
I have never heard this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are feeling better.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Linda
This is so interesting! I did not know this. Thank you for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome Deb. A number of years ago, I received books about origins of Christmas songs and traditions. It was a great way to learn new things.Happy Christmas,Laura
Delete"From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly."
ReplyDeleteOh my...