The Twelve Days of Christmas – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TToday is December 30th – which means it’s the 6th day of Christmas. A few days ago, upon my return home from Austin, I said in my post that I was going to start taking down my Christmas décor the next day. The inspiration came when my Austin Family were heading out of town for several days and they wanted to come home to a back-to-normal atmosphere. It would feel great for them not to face the de-Christmasing of their home upon return. We pitched in and succeeded!

That was my plan, too, until my BFF, Sheila Michie, commented on my post "Enjoy all 12 days of Christmas -- today's only the 4th day!" I checked out what she said, and it was true!! We’re still in the 12 Days of Christmas!! I quickly posted a retraction that I was holding off to savor in the flavors and favors of Christmas until the end of the 12 days. Here is the result of my research:

The "12 Days of Christmas" are the 12 days between Christmas Day, December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and January 6th, Epiphany -- the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world.

During the 15th to 18th centuries in England, it was a crime to be Catholic and they were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law -- private or public. Anyone caught with religious books or writings would be severely punished -- imprisonment, hanging or a beheaded. The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” was written during that time of religious persecution. It was a kind of secret summary and memory tool of the principles of Christian beliefs that could be sung in public without fear of arrest.

In the song, the "true love" mentioned doesn't refer to an earthly lover. It refers to the "True Love" of God the Father, the greatest Giver. The “me” who receives the gift refers to all believers in Christ. Christ is presented as a mother partridge who fakes injury to lure predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me..." Matthew 23:37.

Each line in the song is a code word for a religious truth:

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

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 Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9. The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

The Twelve Days of Christmas give us a reason to celebrate and exchange gifts. This old-fashioned approach to gift-giving eventually gave way to today's practice of exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.

So, I'm back to breathing in the "Oh Holy Night" of Christmas for a few more days. I'll bask in the 12 Days of Christmas – savoring the atmosphere as long as I can. I've resisted the urge to run out to the After-Christmas sales. As a matter of fact, the cold weather beckons the fireplace to be blazing, wearing the cozy attire and staying inside to experience THE Presence of Emmanuel -- God with us. I'm having a loving affair with the Lover in the song, and the Partridge in the Pear Tree. I'm journaling, reading, and embracing the moments, while preparing for a new year of serving, loving and giving. I pray that you, too, are experiencing Christmas peace and joy a few more days.

In the words of Paul Harvey…..”and now you know the REST of the STORY!" You’re welcome!

Where You Go, I'll Go -- Where You Stay, I'll Stay

These photo inspirations are near and dear to my heart. This day, 16 years ago, my Sweetheart and I re-said our wedding vows during our 35th year of marriage. I'd like to say it was 35 years of wedded bliss -- all sweet, rosy and delightful times that caused us to want to repeat our vows, and there were plenty of those, but in reality, there were plenty of ups and downs, times we were just not on the same page. There were lots of challenges and struggles. So on this 35th year of marriage, we were celebrating that we were two tough cookies that believed when we said our vows....."To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part", we meant it. We stuck together like glue.....and as the years passed by, the bond we had became more precious.

Some of the vows I said were Ruth's words to her mother-in-law, Naomi, when Naomi told her to return to her roots after her husband, Naomi's son, had been killed. But Ruth said to her, and I said to my husband, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." Ruth 1:16. Who knew (we sure didn't) that I would follow my Sweetheart as he fell in love with the Catholic Church after having been a Protestant evangelist, pastor and teacher for most of his life and having had parents who were Protestant pastors for over 50 years. Those vows rang true as where he went, I went. His love became my love. The beautiful and loving Catholic people became my dearest friends. The spiritual renewal that ignited the Charismatic Catholic Renewal in the 60s, and continues today, caused our hearts to burn with love for all of God's kids like never before -- wherever they place their love and commitment to Christ. Today I am more active in evangelism and spiritual renewal than ever before. Honestly, leading people to Christ and the abundant life He promises and gives, is my greatest goal in life.

These photos were taken at the "re-saying of our vows" in a lovely Catholic chapel in National City, CA -- where we had just opened a Food Pantry to feed the hurting and broken people in that area. We also had donated a new vehicle to the Food Pantry for their deliveries and pick-ups. So, in celebrating our 35th anniversary, we were also giving out of our gratitude for God’s faithfulness to us. Commitment and resolve to finish what we started paid off in immeasurable ways for us and others.

While we were in that sweet and tender time of recommitting to those beautiful vows we had spoken 35 years before -- this time we did it in full knowledge that the roads could be very bumpy ahead, but it didn't matter because our devotion and love for each other was worth it all.

I shared all this with you, my dear FB friends and family, before this year ends, to share with those of you who are married and are experiencing some tough times -- challenging times, but I urge you to be TOUGH and steadfast to your vows before God, because tough times don't last, but tough people, tough marriages, and taking tough stands on what commitment, love, trust, and devotion are all about, do. It is worth every effort, because the toughest journeys make the sweetest victories -- even greater. Trust me. We proved it!

May the FORCE in High Places Be With You

Day 190 of Photo Inspirations -- May the FORCE in HIGH PLACES Be With You
Okay -- I admit it.  I'm addicted to attending church -- Protestant, Catholic, Interdenominational....bring it on!  There is no greater high, in my opinion, than hanging out with God's family.  Here's why:  We have so many things in common:  we love God, He loves us, we want to follow in His footsteps and in fact, we want to emulate Him -- loving, caring, giving and living in the abundance that He desires His kids to live in.  I go to church and my heart is lifted, my perspective is clearer on what matters most, I join others in singing and worshipping Him Who deserves all worship and praise.

Garth Brooks sold a lot of records with his song, "I've Got Friends in Low Places....where the whiskey drowns, and the beer chases my blues away and I'll be okay."  Seriously?? Why go there, when we can go hang out with friends in HIGH Places and eliminate the blues altogether?

Just down the street from where I live is LifeChurch.tv - Jenks Campus, and each year in July "At the Movies" is featured.  Popcorn & snacks are handed out, there's amazing musical talents with a concert-quality, high energy band, and we get a glimpse of popular movies and the most inspiring messages that are way beyond their stories.  AND, each campus foyer is transformed into popular themes.  This year, the Jenks campus is Star Wars -- thus these photos with Star Wars characters -- live and in person each weekend in July.....that are hanging out in HIGH PLACES.

I haven't been what you'd call an avid Star Wars fan, but I enjoyed each sequel.  There were some epic inspiring messages and quotes by the characters.  For example, Darth Vader said, “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”  Yoda, the Master Jedi, said: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” He also said, "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Yoda really had it together.  And, even Princess Leia showed little girls that they could be anything and everything they wanted to be. Jedis taught us that strength is beyond that of physical power, but also found in the power of our minds.  And that not every battle needs to be fought with a light saber. I'd say those were quotes that we could take to heart!

And finally, Good versus Evil isn’t just in the movies.  The ever present theme throughout Star Wars is the presence of a good force and an evil force. The light side and the dark side. Right versus wrong.   That sounds a lot like reality, right?  Figuring out what to do in tricky situations where you have a clear choice between doing the right thing and doing the wrong thing.

And, I'd say....hanging out in HIGH PLACES will be worth the sacrifice when it comes to making the right choices and living a life of joy, peace, and freedom from worry, anxiety, sadness and fear.  May the FORCE of God's mighty power be WITH YOU!
#AtTheMovies