LEARNING DAILY

 

Another find as I was looking through “stuff” I have collected over the years was the meaning behind the song A Partridge in a Pear Tree.  I have done a little more research on the song because I had always thought it had interesting lyrics even somewhat monotonous.  I found there was a lot more significance than I imagined.  

 

Between 1558 and 1829, Roman Catholics were forbidden to openly practice their religious beliefs.  In order to remind their children of their Roman Catholic worldview and teachings, they created this song.  Christmas, in the church calendar was a season, not just a day.  Christmas lasted - you guessed it – for twelve days. The twelve days of Christmas lasted from December 25 until January 5.  January 5 was the beginning of Epiphany.  I learned that church traditions celebrated the Epiphany as the “coming out of Jesus” or the day that Jesus was revealed to the world.  I do not know if this tradition is celebrated in this country.  The Epiphany was a feast associated with the Magi coming to Jesus, presenting their gifts.  I do not want to cause any confusion about the time the Magi found Jesus; I am presenting the history behind the song. 

 

If you enjoy the song, here is what the gifts that presented each day represent.  I have taken the following from material found on Crosswalk.com.  The partridge in the pear tree is Jesus Christ.  He is symbolic of the mother partridge who will sacrifice her life to save the lives of its children.

 

 The two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments which provide a biblical presentation of God’s plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. 

 

The three French hens stand for faith, hope, and love written in 1 Corinthians 13 by the Apostle Paul. 

 

The four calling birds represent the four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

 

The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament known as the Law or the Torah. 

 

The six geese-a-laying stood for each of the six days when God created the world and everything in it. 

 

The seven swans a swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy or compassion. 

 

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.  Think back to what past pages of the blog discussed about the beatitudes.  This gift would be those who receive God’s word and accept His grace.

 

The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruit of the Holy Spirit.  The fruit of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 

The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments

 

The eleven pipers piping were the eleven disciples that carried the gospel message to the world.  Remember Judas betrayed Jesus and hung himself.

 

And the twelve drummers drumming are the twelve points of the Apostle’s Creed.  “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.”

 

So that’s the meaning behind the song.  Do your own research. It provided a pretty good  skeleton to explore Biblical teachings and hide the teaching from those who did not want the Catholics practicing their beliefs. 

 

 

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