Merry
Christmas
Jesus
Is the Reason for the Season!
Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when
Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from
ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime
to BE a Catholic.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England
as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets
of their faith - a memory aid, when to be caught with anything in *writing*
indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned,
it could get you hanged.
(The Song was changed in it's order down through
the years, this is from the original.)
The Song is still true for everyone who reads the
Bible
This is a light hearted version because of Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth
the bones.
"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..."
- "true love" represents God
The "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who
died on a tree as a gift from God. (John 3:16)
The "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments
- another gift from God.
The "three French hens" were faith, hope, and love
- the three gifts of the Spirit that abide. (I Corinthians 13).
The "four calling birds" were the four Gospels which
sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ. (Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John)
The "five golden rings" were the first five books
of the Bible also called the "Books of Moses."
The "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation.
The "seven swans a swimming" were "seven gifts of
the Holy Spirit."
(I Corinthians 12:8-11, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1
Peter 4:10-11)
The "eight maids a milking" were the eight beatitudes.
The "nine pipers piping" were nine fruits of the
Holy Spirit.
(Galatians 5:22-23)
The "ten drummers drumming" were the Ten Commandments.
The "eleven ladies dancing" were the eleven faithful
disciples.
The "twelve lords a-leaping" were the twelve points
of the Apostles' Creed.
1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator
of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin
Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was
buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose
again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the
Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe
in the Holy Spirit, 8) the body of Christ, the Church, 9) the intercession
of Jesus, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body,
12) and life everlasting.
So
every time you hear this song, think of what it really means!
And Look for God in ALL things!
Some say this is not
true, but can you think of a
better way to Remember God's promises?
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