The Twelve Days of Christmas

My mom came across the following and I thought it was rather interesting:

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song form young Catholics using code words which the children could remember.

True Love refers to Go
A partridge refers to Jesus Christ
2 turtle doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 french horns refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 calling birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 golden rings refers to the first five books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch" or Torah or Law, which gives the history of man's fall from grace
6 geese a-laying, which refers to the six days of creation
7 swans a-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy), the seven sacraments
8 maids a-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 ladies dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control)
10 lords a-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 pipers piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 drummers drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Just a little something to think about as we go about the holiday season; if you're like me, you knew the words had to mean something...the songwriter couldn't have been simply coming up with random ideas!!