Happy Epiphany!

  Our priest, Father Widman, put the following in the bulletin for this week:

             'To many, the Twelve Days of Christmas is a delightful and nonsensical rhyme set to 

              music. Considering its historical origins, the song had a very serious purpose when

              it was written and meant a great deal more than a simple repetitious melody with

             pretty phrases and a list of very strange gifts. 

             In England, during the period of 1558 to 1829, Catholics were prohibited from any

             practice of their faith, private or public. To avoid persecution and certain death, 

             Catholic  leaders created this musical allegory as a teaching tool to instruct young

             people in the meaning and content of the Christian Faith. The hidden meanings, listed

             below,  were understood by those of the Christian Faith.

                               Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ, Son of God

                               2 Turtle Doves = the Old and New Testaments

                               3 French Hens =  Faith, Hope, and Charity (the Theological Virtues)

                               4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels Which Sing the Song of Salvation

                               5 Gold Rings = the Five Books of the Pentateuch (first five books of OT)

                               6 Geese a Laying = the Six Days of Creation

                               7 Swans a Swimming = the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I've also seen it as

                                                                          the Seven Sacraments)

                               8 Maids a Milking = the Eight Beatitudes

                               9 Ladies Dancing = the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

                              10 Lords a Leaping = the Ten Commandments

                              11 Pipers Piping = the Eleven Faithful Apostles

                              12 Drummers Drumming = the Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostles' 

                                                                                Creed'

  I know some people refute the historical correctness of this story, but I still find it fascinating. My only question, which I guess I should askFather about, is why would Catholics feel the need to 

make a secret "catechism" of beliefs that all Christians in England at that time would have agreed upon. Whether the Twelve Days of Christmas was really written in this context, or not, the symbolism makes it much more meaningful.