The 12 Days of Christmas

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As Paul Harvey might say .... you all are familiar with the Holiday song "The 12 days of Christmas". But did you know the origin of the song?

In England, during the period from 1558 to 1829, Catholics were prohibited under pain of death from practicing their religion either publically or privately.

Anyone found with a Catholic bible or Catechism would be drawn and quartered. To get around this law, a clever Irish Priest penned the song "The 12 days of Christmas" to serve as a verbal Catechism for Catholic youngsters.

In the song "gifts" really refer to Catholic Teachings. And the "one true love" is really Almighty God. The "me" refers to baptized Catholics. The "Partridge in a Pear Tree" refers to Christ who once likened himself (according to the New Testament) to a hen wishing to shelter its chicks (Christians) "under its wings"

The other symbols meant the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch",
which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Now, you know ......."the rest of the story!"