| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annab |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 3:44:10 PM
Did a google search just for kicks and found this...
Pretty cool!
The Meaning Behind The Song
The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, the birth of Jesus, and the Epiphany, Jan. 6th, the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world.
The Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may sound silly and contrived to many of us. But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism - and with a serious purpose.
It dates from a time of religious persecution. The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest - a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact.
The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation - the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved. Each element is a code word for a religious truth.
1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.
If you think Jesus being symbolized as a partridge in a pear tree sounds blasphemous, remember:
"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so." (Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:34)
The "true love" in the song refers to God Himself.
The "me" receiving the gifts is every Christian.
So that "silly" song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning than we thought.
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| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ga Girl |
Posted - Dec 14 2009 : 04:47:14 AM
Thank you for sharing this, blessings,Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
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http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/ |
| Annab |
Posted - Dec 14 2009 : 04:37:29 AM
Hey Mikki
I like that tradition
thanks for the inspiration
Y'all have a Merry christmas and safe and healthy new year too! |
| Alee |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 10:03:33 PM
I had heard this just a few weeks ago for the first time. What a neat story about one of the Christmas classic songs. I always thought it was just one of those songs that is a brain/tongue teaser!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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| Mikki |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 9:38:04 PM
My sister and I always choose someone dear to share the 12 days of Christmas with each year. Like a secret Santa we leave a gift every night on their porch for 12 nights in a row, we try to make the gifts go along with each day. Like the two turtledoves would be maybe a coffee mug full of dove chocolate. It blesses us and them too. We really enjoy doing it.
~~Blessings, Mikki Jo
"Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyway" ***John Wayne
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| laurzgot |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 8:28:36 PM
Thanks Anna, I remember learning the meaning in Sunday School back in the early 60's. It was a pleasure to read this again. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hugs,
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 5:55:18 PM
Very Cool Annab, but there might be an opposite side to the story:
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp (under "Meanings")
Nevertheless, I like this interpretation as well.
By the way, I remember learning, in junior high, the fact that "four calling birds" were actually the olde English "colly" or "collie" meaning "black" or "coal-like."
I love the old songs, though
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| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 5:00:51 PM
I never heard this before, thanks for telling us about it! I like John Denver and the Muppet's version the best.
Dawn in IL |
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