The Catholic Symbolism
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English carol. Roman Catholics in England were prohibited from publicly practicing their religion from 1558 until 1829, except during the reign of the Catholic king James II (1685-88). This carol was composed at that time by someone as a catechism song for young Catholics. There are two levels to its meaning: the obvious meaning and a deeper meaning that only Catholics are aware of.
MY TRUE LOVE - refers to GOD
1 PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE
Jesus, the Son of God
2 TURTLE DOVES
The Old & New Testament
3 FRENCH HENS
Faith, Hope, Charity; the three Theological Virtues
4 CALLING BIRDS
The four Gospels/ the four Evangelists; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
5 GOLDEN RINGS
The first five books of the Bible (Pentateuch); Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
6 GEESE A-LAYING
The six days of Creation
7 SWANS A-SWIMMING
The seven Sacraments; Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony.
8 MAIDS A-MILKING
The eight Beatitudes
"And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when other revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven."
9 LADIES DANCING
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit - charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. The Latin version of the Bible and the Catechism 1832, lists twelve fruits, including
modesty, self-control, chastity.
10 LORDS A-LEAPING
The ten Commandments
11 PIPERS PIPING
The eleven faithful Apostles; Peter, Andrew, James (the greater; son of Zebedee), John (son of Zebedee), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, the twin, Matthew, James (the lesser; son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus (Jude; son of James), Simon (the Zealot).
12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING
The twelve Doctrines in the Creed
"I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH"
"AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD"
"HE WAS CONCEIVED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND WAS BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY"
"JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED AND WAS BURIED"
"HE DESCENDED INTO HELL. ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN"
"HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER"
"FROM THENCE HE WILL COME AGAlN TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD"
"I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT"
"I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH"
"I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS"
"I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY"
"I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING"
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:7
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