December 9, 2001: Stethoscope, 12 Days of Christmas

Hi,

Originally, I was planning to take a trip out of town this past weekend, to
places like Angkor Wat, or Kota Kinabalu. However, things didn't work out
with the scheduling. As a result, I was able to go to the White Elephant
Christmas Party for the teens at my church. It was quite fun.

The kids sang Christmas songs using a karaoke machine. One of the
highlights of the evening was when two kids, Carole and Katie, acted out
the "12 Days of Christmas" as the rest of us all sang the song. It was
very funny. The other highlight was doing the white elephant gift
exchange. I think the most fought over items were a disco ball, and a
mini-massage device. I really enjoyed hanging out with the teens. They
are a very good group. Here are some of the pictures I took from the party.

Teens Christmas Party 1
http://community.webshots.com/album/26742036EVMGaoLtgk

Teens Christmas Party 2
http://community.webshots.com/album/26742729xwHRdifrlf

My next project will definitely be in Cleveland, Ohio, so please look me up
if you are ever in that part of the U.S. Again, please let me know if you
know of any good churches out there.

I'll be in Boston over the weekend of December 21st to 24th, and then in
New York City from Christmas to New Year's Day. Hope to see you if you are
there. My parent's phone # in New York City is: 718-454-7608.

In the next few weeks, I'll be packing, hanging out with friends, and
traveling. So I won't be sending out this weekly newsletter until after I
get settled down in Cleveland.

This week's thought provoking question is, "If Jesus Christ was never born,
how would that impact your life?"

This week's humor and inspirational pieces were forwarded from Anna Man and
Jennifer Deniega, respectively. (I sent these out last Christmas. I'm
resending it because of last night's singing of this song).

Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas!

-Josh.
_________________________________

Stethoscope

On the way to preschool, the doctor had left her stethoscope on the car
seat, and her little girl picked it up and began playing with it.

"Be still, my heart," thought the doctor, "my daughter wants to follow in
my footsteps!"

Then the child spoke into the instrument, "Welcome to McDonald's. May I
take your order?"
_________________________________

Hidden Meaning

People often think of The Twelve Days of Christmas as the days preceding
the festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year that
last for 12 days beginning December 25 and lasting until January 6 the Day
of Epiphany when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the
light of the world and recalls the journey of the Magi.

>From 1558 until 1829 people in England were not allowed to practice their
faith openly. During this era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'
as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without risk of
persecution. The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface
meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church.

Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality.
1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the torah (Law) the first five books of the
Old Testament.
6. The six geese alaying stand for the six days of creation.
7. Seven swans aswimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.
8. The eight maids amilking are the eight beatitudes. (Matthew v, 312)
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the spirit. (Gal.5).
10. The ten lords aleaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the
Apostles Creed.

There you have it, the HIDDEN meaning of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and
the secret behind the song. Received this from a friend and it gave new
meaning to the song we sing at this time of year. Hope you find this as
"New/Old Meaning" to the season.