TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge that won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
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 the 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 turtledoves 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.
The 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.
The 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 stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed.
while this may be in error it has a nice sentiment to it and was shared with me by a very dear and very elderly friend. It's one of the few emails that I received from her as she died the day after Christmas. I save this in memory of my dear friend Mac Kate
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge that won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
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 the 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 turtledoves 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.
The 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.
The 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 stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed.
while this may be in error it has a nice sentiment to it and was shared with me by a very dear and very elderly friend. It's one of the few emails that I received from her as she died the day after Christmas. I save this in memory of my dear friend Mac Kate
'Twas the night Jesus came
ReplyDeleteand all through the house,
not a person was praying,
not one in the house.. The Bible was left
on the shelf without care,
for no one thought
Jesus would come there.. The children were dressing
to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling
or bowing their head.. And Mom in the rocking chair
with babe on her lap,
was watching the Late Show
as I took a nap.. When out of the east
there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet
to see what was the matter.. Away to the window
I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters
and lifted the sash.. When what to my wondering
eyes should appear,
but Angels proclaiming
that Jesus was here.. The light of His face
made me cover my head...
was Jesus returning
just like He'd said.. And though I possessed
worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him
in spite of myself.. In the Book of Life
which he held in his hand,
was written the name
of every saved man.. He spoke not a word
as he searched for my name,
when He said "it's not here"
My head hung in shame.. The people whose names
had been written with love,
He gathered to take
to his Father above.. With those who were ready
He rose without sound,
while all of the others
were left standing around... I fell to my knees
but it was too late,
I'd waited too long
and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried
as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I'd known
that this was the night.... In the words of this poem
the meaning is clear
the coming of Jesus
is now drawing near... There's only one life
and when comes the last call,
We'll find out that the Bible
was true after all...
Please send this to as many people as possible...
JESUS LOVES YOU!!!!