Question: Which Christmas Carol was written as a Catechism song for young Catholics?
Bonus question: It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known usually only to members of the Church. How many of these hidden meanings do you know?
Answer: 12 Days of Christmas
Bonus Answers:
The partridge in the pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope, and Love.
Four calling birds were the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Five golden rings recalled the ‘Torah’ or Law: the first five books of the Old Testament.
Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.
Ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.