Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Did you know that the popular Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, was written as a child’s catechism song? In the 1600’s when Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly, the carol was written, embodying code words known only to church members. The song we know today was sung by children to teach them about Christ and the Bible.
The Partridge is for Jesus Christ.
The Two Turtle Doves are the Old and New Testaments.
The Three French Hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.
The Four Calling Birds are Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.
The Five Golden Rings recalled the Torah, the first five books of the
Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
The Six Geese are for the Six Days of Creation in Genesis 1.
The Seven Swans A-swimming represented the Seven-Fold Gifts of
the Holy Spirit found in Romans 12:6; prophesy, serving, teaching, encouraging, generosity, leadership, and mercy.
The Eight Maids are the Eight Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-10.
The Nine Ladies Dancing shows the Nine Fruits of the Spirit found
in Galatians 5:22; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
The Ten Lords A-Leaping is the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20.
The Eleven Pipers represents the Eleven Faithful Disciples.
The Twelve Drummers symbolized the Twelve points of belief in
the Apostle’s Creed.
