Blessed Christmas Everyone

Today is the eve of Christmas Day, I would like to share the story behind a classic Christmas Carol that I learnt recently. I am sure most of you have heard or even sang the Christmas Carol, Twelve Days of Christmas.

Have you ever wonder what French hens, turtle doves, geese and leaping lords have to do with Christmas?

The story behind Twelve Days of Christmas is what I learnt from a friend’s Facebook post.

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. There is a hidden meaning to the lyrics which only the church members knew the hidden meaning as each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality.

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 and 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 symbolised the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed

 

Wishing you and your love ones, a very Blessed Christmas!

 

Thank you for stopping by and happy Living for Experiences!

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