And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Did you know that the Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, is actually about more than ladies dancing and maids a milking?? From 1558 to 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to discuss their faith openly. So this song was used as a code for sharing their faith and belief in the following religious realities...
*The partridge in a pear tree= Jesus Christ
*Two turtle doves= the Old and the New Testaments
*Three French hens= faith, hope and love
*Four calling birds= the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
*Five golden rings= the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament)
*Six geese a-laying= the six days of creation
*Seven swans a-swimming= the sevenfold gifts from the Holy Spirit (Prophecy, Service, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy)
*Eight maids a-milking= the eight Beatitudes
*Nine ladies dancing= the nine fruits of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control)
*Ten Lords a-leaping= the ten commandments
*Eleven pipers piping= the eleven faithful disciples
*Twelve drummers drumming= the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed ("I beleive in God the Father, etc.)