The Twelve Days Of Christmas!

I know that this may be a day early for 12 days before Christmas, but because I didn't write a blog last weekend, I decided not to wait until the time was right, but to go right ahead and give you my version of that popular Christmas song (and no it is nothing that Boney M have ever sung....hopefully) called 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. I thought that there must be some history behind what seemed to be a simple song, so, yes, I googled it! And this is what I found.

'According to Ann Ball in her book, HANDBOOK OF CATHOLIC SACRAMENTALS:

The two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments
The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The five golden rings represented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Saviour.
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-----Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

Original Source: Fr. Calvin Goodwin, FSSP, Nebraska
Printed with permission from Catholic Tradition.'

And thanks to Google.

I spent a lot of time mulling over typically 'Weskus' flora and fauna (lovely names for cats) so I hope that this meets with your approval even though there is no deeper meaning to my words:

So, here in reverse order from 12 days to 1 day.... and you have to sing it out loud please:
   
 On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Twelve whales a blowing
Eleven crayfish growing
Ten springboks pronking *
Nine gypos honking **
Eight seals a swimming
Seven gulls a screaming
Six tourists leaving ***
Five tor-toi-ses
Four scorpions
Three mole snakes
Two francolins
And a boomslang in a manotoka tree.

* not our rugby team
** short for Egyptian geese
*** not you Michael and Hedwig

One thing puzzles me though. Are the twelve days supposed to happen before Christmas or afterwards? 

If it's before, well, go ahead and sing.

And if not, wait a bit!