With so many stupid versions of the song 'The Twelve of Christmas' out there, the true meaning of the song is as follows:
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
The Twelve Days of Christmas are December 26 to Epiphany, January 6. The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is an English carol written during the time of persecution in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, against Roman Catholics, after the so-called'reformation'. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was a coded message that helped young Catholic children learn the tenets of the Faith and be able to recite them without fear of going to jail. Each “day” has a hidden meaning concerning teachings of the Catholic Faith.
The “true love” refers to God. The “me” who receives the gifts, refers to every baptized person. The Pear Tree is the cross and the Partridge is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christ is symbolically portrayed as a mother partridge that fakes injury to trick predators from her helpless chicks. It reminds us of Christ’s sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37
THE PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE REFERS TO JESUS ON THE CROSS
2. Turtle Doves: The Old and New Testaments
3. French Hens: The Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Also, the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity
4. Calling Birds: The four Gospels and/or the four Gospel writers-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
5. Gold Rings: The first 5 Books of the Old Testament; also the five wounds of Jesus Christ
6. Geese A-laying: The Six days of Creation
7. Swans A-swimming: The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the seven Sacraments
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude (or courage), knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
8. Maids A-milking: The Eight Beatitudes
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blesses are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. (Note: The last one is NOT considered a beatitude)
9. Ladies dancing: The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity (or kindness), goodness, longanimity (or long suffering), mildness, faith, modesty, continency (self-control), and chastity. (I don't know where they got 'nine' from. Maybe they've been reevaluated in the last 500 years)
10. Lords A-leaping: The Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments:
1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day
4. Honor your father and your mother
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal
8. You shall not bear false witness
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods
11. Pipers piping: The Eleven Faithful Apostles after Judas’s betrayal
12. Drummers drumming: The Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
1. Creator of heaven and earth;
2. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead;
6. He ascended into Heaven, And is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty;
7. From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. The Holy Catholic Church, The Communion of Saints,
10. The forgiveness of sins,
11. The resurrection of the body,
12. And life everlasting. Amen.
Merry CHRIST MASS to all
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