Did ye Know?

[golach]

The Twelve Days of Christmas


We all know the song, but do you know the story behind the song.
Believed to date back to the religious upheavals in 17th Century England.
When the Puritans came to power the suppressed Christmas and Christmas Carols. Eventually, when the season was restored Catholics were not allowed to practice their faith, so parents used coded nonsense songs to teach their children the basic doctrine.

In The Twelve days to Christmas “ My true love” refers to God

The Partridge – Christ, the Pear tree represents the cross
Two Turtle Doves – the Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens – the three gifts of faith, hope & love.
Four Calling Birds – the four Apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
Five Gold Rings – the first five books of the Old Testament. These books were held in great reverence by the Jews.
Six Geese a-laying – eggs are the symbol of new life. The laying Geese stand for the six days of creation.
Seven Swans a-swimming – the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership & mercy
Eight Maids a-milking – the eight beatitudes
Nine Ladies dancing – the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Ten Lords a-leaping – the Ten Commandments
Eleven pipers piping – the 11 apostles who remained faithful to Jesus.
Twelve drummers drumming – the 12 vital beliefs of the Apostles’
Creed

[sassylass]

For such a grumpy owld mannie, Mr Golach, you are very thoughtful to share so much interesting knowledge with us.

In fact, I'm beginning to believe you're not grumpy at all.

[Bill Fernie]

Try this web site for an expansion of this theme
http://www.shartwell.freeserve.co.uk...te/12-xmas.htm

Many old songs and traditions like Christmas have roots much further back.
For Christmas itself try this one http://www.toolong.com/christmas.htm
There are many more once you start looking.
Most folk know that Christmas day was selected and that the real date is not actually known for the birth of Jesus. Many festivals are adopted by later religions and taken forward and develop their own themes. try this for size - http://de.essortment.com/christmaspagan_rece.htm
or http://www.serve.com/shea/germusa/xmastree.htm
A topic that could keep going for plenty of posts if you have the time.

[golach]

Bill,
many thanks for expanding on this subject, CCWS is a font of knowledge
Golach