<< From Manger to Pear Tree (by Guy A. Zona) > > "Can you imagine not being permitted to freely say 'Merry Christmas"? > Can > you imagine having to conceal your beliefs by describing them in seemingly > unrelated words, like singing an apparently happy, almost nonsensical song > when it is really about your beliefs? Those conditions did occur in > England, as well as other places, between 1558 and 1829. > > The Christmas Carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," in fact, is a result > of > people's needing to conceal their beliefs in this way, according to The > Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals by Ann Ball of Huntington, Ind. > > Written in England as a catechism song for young Catholics, "The Twelve > Days of Christmas" contains hidden meanings intended to help children > remember lessons of faith. Instead of referring to an earthly suitor, the > "true love" mentioned in the song really refers to God. The "me" who > receives the presents is symbolic of every baptized person. > > The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. In the song, Christ is > symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy > predators from helpless nestlings. > > The meaning of the other symbols are: Two turtle doves-The Old and New > Testaments Three French hens-Faith, hope, and charity Four calling > birds-The four Gospels Five golden rings-The first five books of the Old > Testament, which outline humanity's fall from grace. Six geese > a-laying-The > six days of creation Seven swans a-swimming-Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit > Eight maids a-milking-The eight Beatitudes Nine ladies dancing-Nine fruits > of the Holy Spirit Ten lords a-leaping-The Ten Commandments Eleven pipers > piping-The eleven faithful disciples Twelve drummers drumming-The twelve > points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. >>
Hey Val, Here's the rest of the story! Can you e-mail it to Diane, John and Nancy, Rich and Barbara and Sandy? I don't have their e-mail addresses. It would be nice for them to know the rest of the story! God bless you. Have a wonder - filled Christmas! Love, Kathy > From Manger to Pear Tree (by Guy A. Zona) > > "Can you imagine not being permitted to freely say 'Merry Christmas"? > Can > you imagine having to conceal your beliefs by describing them in seemingly > unrelated words, like singing an apparently happy, almost nonsensical song > when it is really about your beliefs? Those conditions did occur in > England, as well as other places, between 1558 and 1829. > > The Christmas Carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," in fact, is a result > of > people's needing to conceal their beliefs in this way, according to The > Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals by Ann Ball of Huntington, Ind. > > Written in England as a catechism song for young Catholics, "The Twelve > Days of Christmas" contains hidden meanings intended to help children > remember lessons of faith. Instead of referring to an earthly suitor, the > "true love" mentioned in the song really refers to God. The "me" who > receives the presents is symbolic of every baptized person. > > The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. In the song, Christ is > symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy > predators from helpless nestlings. > > The meaning of the other symbols are: Two turtle doves-The Old and New > Testaments Three French hens-Faith, hope, and charity Four calling > birds-The four Gospels Five golden rings-The first five books of the Old > Testament, which outline humanity's fall from grace. Six geese > a-laying-The > six days of creation Seven swans a-swimming-Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit > Eight maids a-milking-The eight Beatitudes Nine ladies dancing-Nine fruits > of the Holy Spirit Ten lords a-leaping-The Ten Commandments Eleven pipers > piping-The eleven faithful disciples Twelve drummers drumming-The twelve > points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
