Happy New Year!!

Break forth, O beauteous Heav’nly light,
And usher in the morning;
Ye shepherds, shrink not with affright,
But hear the angel’s warning.
This child, this little helpless boy,
Shall be our confidence and joy,
The power of hell o’er-throwing,
At last our peace bestowing.
---Johann Rist---

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Today is the 9th day of the 12 days of Christmas. Today we give 9 Ladies Dancing to our true love.

There has been some research that indicates that the symbols from the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas were actually a mnemonic device in order to teach catechism. Some historians debate this, however, saying this is merely an urban myth.

As is true with much that is legendary, it is difficult to get to the true historic roots.

Whether or not it is true in the historical sense, I find the symbols to be quite helpful in remembering the basics of our faith, and hope to use them in the future for catechism.

Following are the symbols, and their meanings:

• The Partridge in a Pear Tree represents Jesus. The partridge is intended to be a mother who feigns injury to decoy predators from her chicks.
• The Two Turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments.
• The Three French Hens represent the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.
• The Four Calling Birds are the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
• The Five Golden Rings stand for the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. This is the Torah of Hebrew scripture, and tells the story of the Abrahamic covenant, the life of Moses, the rescue from Slavery, and the giving of the Law, or 10 Commandments. The five books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
• The Six Geese-a-laying represent the six days of creation.
• The Seven Swans-a-swimming are the 7-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion.
• The Eight Maids-a- Milking are the Eight Beatitudes: Blessed are the: 1. poor in spirit, 2. those who mourn; 3. the meek; 4. those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; 5. the merciful; 6. the pure in heart; 7. the peacemakers; 8. those who are persecuted.
• The Nine Ladies Dancing represent the Nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control.
• The Ten Lords-a-Leaping stand for the 10 Commandments
• The Eleven Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful apostles, sans Judas Iscariot: Matthew, Peter, James, John, Thomas, Andrew, Bartholomew, Philip, Simon the Zealot, James bar Alphaeus, Judas bar James (the other Judas).
• The Twelve Drummers Drumming are the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

I believe in:

1. God the Father Almighty, creator…
2. Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
4. Suffered, crucified, died
5. Rose again and ascended into heaven
6. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7. the Holy Spirit
8. The Holy Catholic (universal) Church
9. Communion of Saints
10. Forgiveness of sins
11. Resurrection of the body
12. Life everlasting.

Your nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshipers learned through a star to worship you, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in you the one who rises and who comes from on high. O Lord, glory to you!
---Orthodox liturgy Feast of the Nativity---

Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/churchonthewebpage.htm

This Week at St. James:

Friday: Kid’s Kaleidoscope begins at Claggett
Saturday: 11:00 Baptismal Preparation for those to be baptized on Jan. 13.
Sunday: Sunday School Resumes
Friday and Saturday 11th - 12th: Vestry Retreat at Claggett.
Sunday Jan. 13: 4:00 Confirmation Resumes.

Next week, I will be in Bethesda for Continuing Education – the third installment of my training in Family Systems Theory. The Pax will resume on January 16th.

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:
Mike P.; Lori S.; Rebecca; Owen
Gracia; Jennifer D.; Rob C.; Nancy K.
Ed S.; Betsy, Jim and Family; Michelle K.
Krista B.; Dolores; Kirby; Mary S.

Pray for Laura Brecht today through Saturday as she takes her General Ordination Exams.

In Closing:

God has called you out of darkness,
Into his wonderful light.
May you experience his kindness and blessings,
And be strong in faith, in hope, and in love.

Because you are followers of Christ,
Who appeared on this day as a light shining in darkness,
May he make you alight to all your sisters and brothers. The wise men followed the star,
And found Christ who is light from light.
May you too find the Lord
When your pilgrimage is ended.
---Solemn blessing Roman rite---

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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