My true love gave to me Eleven Pipers Piping. Now we could think of these pipers as often depicted, playing flutes or other woodwind instruments. And while there is nothing wrong with thinking flute, the pipers are piping – calling attention to their message. Now I ask you, what draws attention better than bagpipes?
Continue reading “On the Eleventh Day of Christmas”Category: Catholic Faith
On the Tenth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Ten Lords-a-Leaping. My love, my Lord, gave to me – to the entire human race – His Ten Commandments. Commandment sounds so stern – this is an order or else. The Commandments are not orders in a military sense, but they are guidelines, and straying does have its consequences. We have the most precious gift of all – free will. With that come choices and taking responsibility for our actions.
Continue reading “On the Tenth Day of Christmas”On the Ninth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Nine Ladies Dancing. The Nine Ladies represent the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit – Charity (love for fellow human beings), Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith (fidelity), Mildness (gentleness), and Contingency (self-control). As people of faith, we are taught that these attributes grow within a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit. These attributes are well worth cultivating. Let harmony define us.
Continue reading “On the Ninth Day of Christmas”On the Eighth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Eight Maids-a-Milking. Eight Maids-a-Milking symbolize the Sermon on the Mound and the Beatitudes. The word Beatitude comes from the Latin Beatitudo, meaning blessedness. Each of the eight beatitudes imply a state of emotional well-being in a seemingly dark place. The Beatitudes are the key to achieving peace and contentment in a troubled world.
Continue reading “On the Eighth Day of Christmas”Celebrating the Solemnity of This Day
From an ecclesiastic view, today is the third Solemnity Day of the New Year. From a secular perspective, it is New Year’s Day so naturally the first Solemnity of the calendar year. Solemnity Days are not necessarily Holy Days of Obligation, although some are. Confused? Try being a Catholic!
Continue reading “Celebrating the Solemnity of This Day”On the Seventh Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Seven Swans-a-Swimming. The number seven represents the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit – Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation (Encouragement), Contribution, Leadership and Mercy. You need not take a vow of celibacy or stand at the pulpit to realize your spiritual gifts.
Continue reading “On the Seventh Day of Christmas”On the Sixth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Six Geese-a-Laying. These geese are actively creating as in laying eggs and bringing forth life. The key to the six geese can be found in the book of Genesis. It is the creation of the universe, commanding everything into existence from the empty void of nothing in six days.
Continue reading “On the Sixth Day of Christmas”On the Fifth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Five Golden Rings. These priceless rings are the first five books of the Old Testament. In Christianity these books are known as The Pentateuch. In Judaism these books are the first part of the Torah.
Continue reading “On the Fifth Day of Christmas”On the Fourth Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Four Calling Birds. Tradition holds that the Four Calling Birds are also known as the Four Gospels of the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Gospels call us to follow our faith.
Continue reading “On the Fourth Day of Christmas”On the Third Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Three French Hens. The three hens represent the three gifts of the Holy Spirit – Faith, Hope and the greatest of all, Love. Now the obvious choice for French Hens would have been a recipe for Coq Au Vin. Ha – too easy!
Continue reading “On the Third Day of Christmas”On the Second Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Two Turtle Doves. Doves are a symbol of peace. The two turtle doves are said to represent two aspects of faith; the Old and New Testaments bound together in a single book, The Holy Bible.
Continue reading “On the Second Day of Christmas”On the First Day of Christmas
My true love gave to me a Partridge in a Pear Tree. In ancient times, a partridge was often used to represent a divinely sacred king. This gift is Christ, born on this Christmas Day. My True Love is God, who gave His children everything.
Continue reading “On the First Day of Christmas”A Christmas Supper Worthy of a Kiss
It’s no accident that Kiss the Cook Day and Christmas Day are one and the same. While this might not hold true for the younger generation, when I was growing up Christmas was more than just gifts under a tinsel covered pine tree. It was all about family. And home-cooked meals.
Continue reading “A Christmas Supper Worthy of a Kiss”On the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Our Father gave to us the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. For the greatest gift of all is love. Unconditional, everlasting love. Not a blind love, but one with open eyes and a forgiving heart.
Continue reading “On the Fourth Sunday of Advent”How Ugly is Ugly?
Welcome to the 3rd Friday in December. Officially, it’s National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Since 2011, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day has grown to be an international event. It’s a fun excuse for holiday lovers and ugly sweater wearers to break out their most obnoxious winter holiday wear.
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