Christmas is when we celebrate the unexpected; it is the festival of surprises. This is the night when shepherds wake to the song of angels; when the earth has a star for a satellite; when wise men go on a fool’s errand, bringing gifts to a Prince they have not seen, in a country they do not know.
The Twelve Days of Christmas There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me – The Twelve Days of Christmas. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens,… The Twelve Days of Christmas There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me – The Twelve Days of Christmas. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and, especially, the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? This week, I found out. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted 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 & 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
;
Every day is Christmas when you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness and the sweetness it can find.
When you don’t need an occasion, to spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving, of yourself throughout the year.
You Are Cordially Invited to a Birthday Celebration. Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ. Date: Every day. Traditionally December 25, but He’s always around, so the date is flexible. Time: Whenever you’re ready, (please don’t be too late, though; or you’ll miss out on all the fun!).
“May you find grace in the face of adversity;
And see the fear behind a critic’s eye.
May you embrace love and joy as they’re offered;
And give generously of your heart and time.
It is then you’ll feel the presence of Christmas.”
A poem sent to Dear Abby from a couple who have too much stuff.
So many of you asked us (since Yuletide’s drawing near)
“What do you want for Christmas? What can we give you this year?
If we say, “We want nothing!” you buy something anyway,
So here’s a list of what we’d like; believe now what we say:
