Happy “7th Day Of Xmas” [v155]

JANUARY 2012

Happy “7th Day Of Christmas”

In a few days, on January 1, 2012, I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year, and a very merry “7th Day of Christmas.” What?!

Well, I’m sure you’ve heard the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” What you may not know is that it has been the most popular and most-recorded Christmas song in America and Europe throughout the past century (even the “Muppets” did a version of it!). Y’all know how it goes…”On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!” [I hear you humming!].

What you may also not know, is that “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a traditional Christian celebration, starting on Christmas day and ending on January 6th (the Feast of Epiphany). “Twelfth Night” is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking.” [As all lovers of Shakespeare know, this is the ultimate celebration of Christmas ‘madness’ (Shakespeare’s play features one of his many “wise fools” who understand the real meaning of life better than those who think they are sane)].

Although the specific origins of the chant are not known, it possibly began as a Twelfth Night “memories-and-forfeits” game, in which a leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players made a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a ‘sweet’. The date of the song’s first performance is not known, though it was used in European and Scandinavian traditions as early as the 16th century. The first publication date for “The 12 Days of Christmas” was 1780, in a children’s book called “Mirth Without Mischief” published in London, England. The song apparently is older than the printed version, though it is not known how much older.

Another thing you may not know is that there is ‘significance’ for each day. To help young Catholics to learn their faith during “Catechism” class, the following meanings were attributed to each day:

1st Day: The partridge in a pear tree is Christ Jesus upon the Cross. The tree is the symbol of the fall of the human race through the sin of Adam and Eve. True Love refers to God.

2nd Day: Turtle Doves—The Old and New Testaments

3rd Day: Three French Hens – Faith, Hope, and Love

4th Day: The “four calling birds” refers to the four evangelists. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—which proclaim the Good News of God’s reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.

5th Day: Golden Rings—The first five books of the Bible, also called the Jewish Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

6th Day: Geese a-laying refers to the six days of creation.

7th Day: Seven swans a-swimming—seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

8th Day: Eight maids a milking—Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake—eight beatitudes listed in the Sermon on the Mount.

9th Day: Nine ladies dancing—nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

10th Day: Ten lords a-leaping—Ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17): You shall have no other gods before me; Do not make an idol; Do not take God’s name in vain; Remember the Sabbath Day; Honor your father and mother; Do not murder; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Do not covet.

11th Day: Eleven pipers piping—eleven faithful Apostles (Luke 6:14-16): Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas bar James.

12th Day: Drummers Drumming—the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed:


So, since most businesses are in a sort of ‘lull’ this week, it’s a perfect self-improvement time to make some ‘foundation-level’ changes. Yes, you could focus on your career or your ‘schedule’, but I’m suggesting some even ‘deeper’ renovations—your spiritual life.


If you never have done so in the past, REALLY CONSIDER the REAL MEANING of this holiday—the celebration of God becoming man. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” [John 1:14-16].

Far more than giving gifts or holiday feasts, the joy of Christmas is that God came near to us in Jesus Christ. The “Incarnation” affirms that we ‘matter’ to God—and He descended into our world adopting a ‘dwelling’ made of human flesh.

So, this “12 Days of Christmas” can be far from a “let down”—all of us have the opportunity to be ‘lifted up’ and ‘united’ to God through Jesus Christ!


A simple poem by Madeline Morse captures the calling of the twelve days of Christmas:

Let Christmas not become a thing
Merely of merchant’s trafficking,
Of tinsel, bell, and holly wreath
And surface pleasure, but beneath
The childish glamour, let us find
Nourishment for heart and mind.
Let us follow kinder ways
Through our teeming human maze,
And help the age of peace to come.


So, let me encourage you to consider the ‘mystery’ of the “Incarnation”—a celebration that began on Christmas Day—and a NEW BEGINNING that could start for you this very day!

[Excerpts from: Margaret Manning]


[P.S.: If you would like to investigate further about what the Bible has to say about the claims of Jesus, whether He was just a good “teacher” of was He God, visit the following link:
http://www.TheSearchForMeaning.net/sfm_pres/sp_q6_d6_1of10.html


RESOURCES:
More historical info:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2004/dec24.html

Blessings…Mark


LIFE’S DEEP THOUGHTS (v155) for JANUARY 2012
If you have a ‘neat’ story or some thoughts about an issue or current event that you would like me to try to respond to, I would be glad to give it a try…so, send them to me at: mbesh@comcast.net

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THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (‘Official’ Lyrics)

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

[Author unknown]

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REDNECK 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Woo! Somebody done been to the WalMart!
Man, this is the stuff I got for Christmas.
Well you cleaned up, whatcha get?

5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shot gun shells
2 huntin dogs
And some parts to a Mustang GT

You got gypped! There’s 12 days to Christmas!
I know that, i got it covered! Look over there in the corner!
That’s yours too?
Yeah!

12 packs of bud
11 wrestlin’ tickets
Tin a’ copenhagen
9 years probation
8 table dancers
7 packs of redmen
6 packs of spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin’ dogs
And some parts to a Mustang GT

Man these ain’t normal Christmas presents!
Naw, they’re Redneck gifts!
Redneck gifts?
Ya, like if you buy you wife a pair of earrings that double as fishin’ lures
Of you can burp the entire chorus to jingle bells
Or if you think that the nutcracker is something you did of the high dive
Or if you’ve ever miss-spelled any thing in Christmas lights
Or if you leave cold beer and pickled eggs for Santa Claus
What’s wrong with that?
I never said there was something wrong with it, it’s just hard to beat.

Well, you know you can’t really consider it Christmas unless you go down to the penitentiary and visit your Momma
You’re not listening to me, get the car key out of your ear, that’s where the 9 years probation comes in.
Now I’m gonna do it for you again. Okay? Listen…

(Chorus)

Are you cryin?
Naw, just my allergies.
Happy Holidays everybody!

[Jeff Foxworthy]

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THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Videos)

Reliant K:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nUBHRN_3sM

Straight No Chaser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Red Green:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCH7zmOhC_8

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12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS…HOW MANY GIFTS TOTAL?

Partridges: 1 x 12 = 12
Doves: 2 x 11 = 22
Hens 3 x 10 = 30
Calling birds: 4 x 9 = 36
Golden rings: 5 x 8 = 40
Geese: 6 x 7 = 42
Swans: 7 x 6 = 42
Maids: 8 x 5 = 40
Ladies: 9 x 4 = 36
Lords: 10 x 3 = 30
Pipers: 11 x 2 = 22
Drummers: 12 x 1 = 12
TOTAL = 364 gifts

[Murray Bourne]

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DEEP THOUGHT:

“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.”

[Eric Sevareid]

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Hope you enjoyed some of these insights—share them with your friends and colleagues—so we can have a larger ‘pool’ to receive from, and more to share with! Also, remember to include your name as the “source,” if some of this wisdom is of your doing—I would like to give credit where credit is due!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” [John 1:1-5]

Mark

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Disclaimer: All the above jokes & inspirations are obtained from various sources and copyright are used when known. Other than our name and headers, we do not own the copyright to any of the materials sent to this list. We just want to spread the ministry of God’s love and cheerfulness
throughout the world.

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