It seems that we have been selected as the recipients of the 12 Days of Christmas from someone. The kids are so excited they can't even stand it. :) On Monday, Landin and I returned home from his band concert to find a candle and an article about the 12 Days of Christmas and the symbolism behind it. It was very interesting. I'll put it at the bottom of this post. The candle has been burning if I am awake and at home. It smells amazing! Last night was very cute too. They gave us 2 Christmas Tree-shaped Magna Doodles, one for Kierstin and one for Jaydin.
If our benefactors happen to be among the few who read my blog...THANK YOU! It is always fun to do stuff like this. I'm grateful that someone thought of us for this year. Also, a friendly warning. Even beginning yesterday Landin wanted to watch out his bedroom window to catch the person in the act. His room is the only one in the front (on the Avenue N side of the house). If you want to maintain your secrecy I recommend approaching the porch from the other side. :) I'll do my best to keep kids out of the kitchen window but I work late Thursday and Friday and no guarantees that Billy will. LOL.
Anyway...here is the article by David Crowder called "'12 Days of Christmas' is no nonsense, but a serious riddle"
It is Christmastime, a time to give, a time to receive, a time of celebration and a time of caroling.
And among the songs we have sung over and over again and eventually memorized, though not easily, is "The 12 Days of Christmas."
The melody is wonderful but the words are mystery, even to many longtime Roman Catholics for whom it was written in the first place.
What may seem a children's song of silly riddles and repetition like "Old McDonald Had a Farm" once had a very serious purpose in times that were, for Roman Catholics, very serious.
After Henry VIII of England broke with the Pope of Rome and the Roman Catholic Church in 1533, the church was banned. Its vast property holdings were taken away and distributed among the royal families in return for their loyalty, its churches and monasteries were destroyed and from 1558 until 1829, its adherents were forbidden from practicing their religion.
But Catholicism survived despite the persecution, and somewhere along the line, someone wrote this innocent-sounding carol to help preserve it.
The song was, in fact, a coded message young Catholics were taught, which embodied some of the basic tenets of their faith -- a catechism lesson of sorts.
And this is what it really meant:
"On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree," the song begins.
The "true love" referred to the father God and the partridge in a pear tree to Jesus Christ upon the cross.
"On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two turtle doves," referred to the Old and New Testaments.
The third gift, three French hens stood for faith, hope and charity or love.
The four calling birds were the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Five golden rings represented the five scrolls of the Jewish Torah or Law, which are the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Six geese a-laying? Simple, the six days of creation.
The seven swans a-swimming stood for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
Eight maids a-milking reminded children of the eight beatitudes listed in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), beginning with "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God." Jesus went on to bless those who mourn, who are meek, who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers and who are persecuted for their righteousness.
The nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
Ten lords a-leaping was the code for the Ten Commandments.
The 11 pipers piping referred to the 11 faithful apostles.
And, at last, "On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 12 drummers drumming."
They recalled the 12 points of belief expressed in the Apostles' Creed: the belief in God the father, the son and the holy spirit, that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, made man, crucified, died and arose on the third day, that he sits at the right had of the father and will come again, the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.
May this give new meaning to "The 12 Days of Christmas," and may Christmas mean something new to you this year.
Landin actually went to his room and brought his presents back into the living room for me to take his picture. I'm shocked....no comments at all! :)
One of those games Brydin is holding is also Landin's but it didn't matter enough to make sure it was in Landin's picture too. :)
Kierstin loved the new Sunday dress from Grandma. When she opened it she said, "A new dress! I've never had one before!" Umm....what have you been wearing to church for the last 6 years baby girl? :) Yes, she has way more stuff than the boys but let's face it....they want expensive stuff and of her stuff was under $5. Same amount spent...looks way cooler in a picture. :)
I'm shocked Jaydin actually sat still for the picture. I don't remember what there were two of but he was intent on making sure I knew that. Maybe he's getting an early start for flashing the peace sign.
