This has been doing the web rounds – but in case you haven’t seen it, here it is: the 12 days of Christmas as you’ve never heard it before (with the Serengeti thrown in). Genius. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8]
But did you know what this carol actually means? Well according to my only just recently moved on colleague, Paul Blackham, there is a lot more to this carol than first meets the eye (or ear for that matter):
It has got to be the most theologically intense Christmas song. I know that might sound odd… but it is a song written as a memory aid to teach Christian doctrine. It is one of several songs called “catechism songs”. I’m sure some already know this, but here is a complete list of the 12 gifts and their meanings:
- 1 Partridge in a pear tree = Jesus on the Cross
- 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
- 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity (Some think this is The Trinity, but this is not the case)
- 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
- 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the books of Moses
- 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
- 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit OR the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith
- 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes (from the start of the Sermon on the Mount)
- 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the 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 Apostle’s Creed
Sadly, the carol’s Wiki page rather dismisses such an interpretation. But Paul has a PhD and knows about such things – so I’m going with him on this one.
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS!
SEE YOU IN 2008 – we’re off for a week’s blogging-free break
