by Sophia Marcel
Did you ever wonder what in the world leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, or the partridge that won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
Here is what I found out:
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. It was during this era that someone wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. 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 turtle doves 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 & 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.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maid’s a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Sprit-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lord’s a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
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