Dear All I have been lurking and working for the last couple of months and have enjoyed following many of the discussions.This last little spat sure proves that Christmas is the silly season!My own family usually manages to have the biggest arguements just before a concert or on a day which should be festive or serious. And what are we but one happy, temperamental family!!
On another note, a friend sent me this, which I thought I could share with you in the spirit of Christmas.
Happy and peaceful holidays to all!
Regards Susi Cape Town
The 12 days of Christmas
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially that partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Today I found out!
From l558 until l829, Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol 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 the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 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, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history lesson for today. I'm not trying to preach etc. but found it interesting and creative and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.
Wasn't that interesting....Merry Christmas everyone.
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