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There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, french hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? I found out. 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 for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code world for a religions reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree
was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves
were the Old and New Testament.
Three french hens
stood for Faith, Hope and Love.
The four calling birds
were the Four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 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 maids a-milking
were the Eight Beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing
were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a -leaping
were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping
stood for the Eleven Faithful Disciples.
The twelve drummers a-drumming
symbolized the Twelve Points of Belief in the Apostles' Creed.
