Whazup With 7 Swans-a-Swimming?!

Hi Everybody!! Happy Holidays and much well deserved rest to all!!
I found an interesting piece of info to share!
*12 Days of Christmas*

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this card as a catechism song for 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.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.
The four calling birds were for the four gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The 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.
The 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 & Self-Control.
The ten lords-a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
Class is over, but life learning, thank you Goddess, continues on!! Sweet Times to All! Jeanie*