rain, planes, and Handel's Messiah...

First of all let me just say; I'm LOVING the cold weather and rain! It's finally starting to feel like Christmas here in Southern California.
It has been a busy few couple of weeks. On top of Christmas shopping (which is finished), apartment and roommate seeking (which is still ongoing), and teaching, I have performed in 3 showings of a Christmas play/tea, assisted in 2 showings of our school's Christmas play, flew up to Northern California to hear Handel's Messiah at U.C. Davis, flew back down 2 days later, and managed finish one book and read half of another. All this is the last 15 days!
Needless to say, I am looking forward to spending the rest of my 2 weeks off relaxing and sleeping in. Not to mention having a wonderful Christmas with my sister and the rest of my family.
Merry Christmas everyone!!

The history behind the most misunderstood Christmas song

The twelve days of Christmas is a a popular song sung around Christmas time. However, most people sing it as a silly song with hand motions without knowing the real history behind it. Between 1558 to 1829, Catholics were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic. Because fo this, Christians came with a way to spread to Gospel and teach the basic truths of their faith in code.

A partridge in a pear tree= Christ, the Messiah
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed


So the next time you sing about that partridge in a pair tree, think about the history. Sure it's a fun song to sing but it's so much more!