Christmas Outlawed

                                  Did you know that from 1644 to 1660 England passed laws prohibiting the celebration of Christmas.  Churches were closed, the celebration of Mass was also forbidden.  During this time the popular song Twelve Days of Christmas was composed as a secret code to pass on the faith to children.  The symbols and numbers found in the song refer to various beliefs of our faith. 
                                  See the underlined terms below and guess what they stand for.

                                  The Twelve Days Of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four Calling Birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five Golden Rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six Geese-a-Laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven Swans a-Swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eight day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight Maids a-Milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the nineth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine Ladies Dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten Lords a-Leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleven day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven Pipers Piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelve day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve Drummers Drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Twelve Days Of Christmas
                      
                     Did You Figure Our The Secret Codes?
                     Secret Codes to pass on the Catholic Faith and truths during persecution of Elizabeth I  -------- 1644.

  True Love    ----------------      Christ
  Pear Tree     ---------------        Cross
 Two Turtle Doves    --------      Old & New Testament
 Three French Hens   --------      Holy Trinity
 Four Calling Birds    --------      4 Gospels
  Five Golden Rings   - First Five Books of the Old Testament
 Six Geese a Laying  --- -------   Six Days of Creation
Seven Swams a Swimming ----- Seven Sacraments
Eight Maids a Milking        ----- Eight Beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing          ------Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Ten Lords a Leaping          ------ Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping          -----  Eleven Faith Apostles
Twelve Drummers Drumming - Twelve Truths of Faith in the Creed