History in a Christmas Carol:

 One Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping Lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

 Well just read on:

 From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for the young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning, the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

1. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

2. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

 5. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books.

6. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creating.

7. Seven swans a swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

 8. The eight maids a milking were the eight beatitudes.

 9. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

10. The ten lords a leaping were the Ten Commandments.

 11. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

 12. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles Creed.

 So there is your history for today. I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.......

The Buttocks

             A married couple was in a terrible accident where the

           man's face was severely burned. The doctor told the

            husband that they couldn't graft any skin from his body

             because he was too skinny. So the wife offered to donate

            some of her own skin. However, the only skin on her body

             that the doctor felt was suitable would have to come

              from her buttocks. The husband and wife agreed that they

             would tell no one about where the skin came from, and they

           requested that the doctor also honor their secret. After

             all, this was a very delicate matter. After the surgery was

            completed, everyone was astounded at the man's new face.

             He looked more handsome than he ever had before! All his

           friends and relatives just went on and on about his youthful

            beauty!  One day, he was alone with his wife, and he was

            overcome with emotion at her sacrifice. He said, 'Dear,

             I just want to thank you for everything you did for me.

            How can I possibly repay you?'

            'My darling,' she replied,

            'I get all the thanks I need every time I see your mother

             kiss you on the cheek.'