Code Word

a Religous Reality

The partridge in the pear tree

Jesus Christ

2 turtledoves

Old and New Testaments

3 French hens

faith, hope and love

4 calling birds

4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament

5 golden rings

recalled the Torah or Law, the first 5 books of the Old Testament, which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

6 geese a-laying

6 days of creation

7 swans a-swimming

the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit (7 sacraments):-

• Prophesy,
• Serving,
• Teaching,
• Exhortation,
• Contribution,
• Leadership and
• Mercy.

8 maids a-milking

8 beatitudes:-

• Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
• Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted
• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill
• Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
• Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God
• Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

9 ladies dancing

9 fruits of the Holy Spirit:-

• Love,
• Joy,
• Peace,
• Patience,
• Kindness,
• Goodness,
• Faithfulness,
• Gentleness and
• Self-Control

10 lords a-leaping

10 Commandments:-

• Thou shalt not have other gods besides Me
• Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain
• Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day
• Honor thy father and thy mother
• Thou shalt not murder
• Thou shalt not commit adultery
• Thou shalt not steal
• Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour
• Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife
• Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods

11 pipers piping

11 faithful disciples:-

A little poem to help you remember:

Peter, Andrew, James and John,
Phil and Bart and Matt and Tom,
James the Less and Jude and Simon --

Then Judas who betrayed the God-man.

12 drummers drumming

symbolised the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed:-

• 1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
• 2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
• 3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
• 4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
• 5. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
• 6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
• 7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
• 8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
• 9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
• 10. the forgiveness of sins,
• 11. the resurrection of the body,
• 12. and life everlasting.