The Front Cover for this issue features "The 12 Days of Christmas” by Alan Morris

The Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas"  had a  serious purpose when it was written. Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law. The song was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith.

See www.cin.org/twelvday.html for more detail. The symbols mean the following:-

1. Partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2. Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3. French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4. Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5. Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch"
6. Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7. Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8. Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9. Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10. Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11. Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12. Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

The above link to another site is offered as an example of further interesting information.