12 days of Christmas: Partridge in a Pear Tree

[Maria]

I have heard that the popular Christmas song (the 12 days of Christmas) was actually written to teach the Roman Catholic faith during the persecution in England.

When I went to Kona, Hawaii, I heard this bird screeching every morning and noon.
I was finally able to identify it. It turns out that the British missed their partridge and so imported some to the beautiful Island of Hawaii.
The huge partridge on our neighbor's roof who serenaded the dawn and the noonday was indeed a descendant from Britain.

[joasia]

Yes. Actually, someone told me about that last week.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

In Christ,
Joanna

[Maria]

Thanks, Joanna.

I saw this list somewhere, but forgot the site.

I wonder why the partridge was identified with Christ?

[joasia]

The papists base it on the passage below. Personally, I think they're stretching it since they do have hens in the third verse.

"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so." (Luke 13:34)

[Maria]

I can see that.

A partridge is a more noble bird than a chicken.