December 29: Front Page (index.htm)

volume 8, no. 62
MONDAY
December 29, 1997

The Twelve Days of Christmas continue... Actually, the Twelve Days of Christmas were a secret "catechism" sung by Roman Catholics after the Reformation in countries such as England where they were not allowed to practice their faith. Thus, to communicate with fellow Catholics and truly celebrate the Birth of Christ as the Savior in the Catholic tradition without fear of reprisal, they formed this "carol" which represented "religious reality" in symbols. This was also used often during the French Revolution.

The "True Love" is God the Father. The Partridge in a pear tree is the Holy Trinity - in particular the Holy Spirit (the Dove) and Jesus Christ Who is known as the "Second Adam". We all know that the fall of man derived around an apple tree. A pear tree ties into this analogy and elevates the redemption.

In the last two issues we have detailed one through five visually and in text, today we bring you Day Five and continue up until January 6th, which was the traditional feast of the Epiphany, with the final six describing each day of Christmas and the hidden Catholic meaning to the song. Many do not realize that the Twelve Days of Christmas are after Christmas - not before.

Monday, December 29 "On the fifth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, five Golden Rings."

The five golden rings represent both the first Five Books of the Old Testament which reminded fellow Catholics of the roots and, after the devotion became more widespread and known, the Five Decades of the Rosary.

Following is a review of the first five days of Christmas: 1 Christ is the Partridge

2 two turtle doves =

3 three French hens = FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY

4 Four calling birds = Four Gospels

Hardening of the Arteries

Because Catholics during those times of persecution were so determined to perpetuate and practice their faith, there is very likely the chance of "spiritual cholesterol" did not set in...a far cry from today when, because of all the distractions and spoilings from a material world our hearts have been hardened. Father Stephen Valenta, OFM Conv. points this out in his weekly column on praying with the heart with his fourteen installment entitled: "spiritual cholesterol" that blocks us from truly praying from and with the heart. Click on Hearts to Heart Talk

Aquinas Acquifer Abundant for All

This week in our year-end issue for reviewing outstanding Catholic sites we focus on a resource site that provides a plethora of teachings and Catholic practices and devotions that will satisfy any Catholic seeking knowledge. The Saint Thomas Aquinas Supersite provides the links to this knowledge. Click on SIGNIFICANT SITE OF THE AWARD

PROVERB OF THE DAY"Turn your ear to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding."

Proverbs 2: 2

Medjugorje Monthly Message for December 25th Dear children! Also today I rejoice with you and I call you to the good. I desire that each of you reflect and carry peace in your heart and say: I want God in the first place in my life. In this way, little children, each of you will become holy. Little children, tell everyone, I want the good for you and he will respond with the good and, little children, good will come to dwell in the heart of each man. Little children, tonight I bring to you the good of my Son Who gave His life to save you. That is why, little children, rejoice and extend your hands to Jesus Who is only good. Thank you for having responded to my call! For more on Medjugorje, Click on MEDJUGORJE

Our Lady of Sorrows Seven swords of sorrow

"And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Luke 2: 35

Click on LITURGY OF THE DAY

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NEWS
& VIEWS
with a Catholic slant HEADLINES:

Pope gets a jump start on Second Jubilee Year with announcement to Youth

Making use of the final week of the year, the Holy Father released his World Youth Day address which will be held this year on Palm Sunday in April. Click on World Youth Days to read more.

No more Polish jokes, Poles are serious about banning abortion for good!

The new pro-life Polish regime cleared the final hurdle to closing any loopholes for allowing abortions when the high court voted to reinstitute a full ban on abortions, greatly pleasing their favorite son John Paul II and millions of pro-lifers worldwide. Click on Polish ban to read more.

Leave it to the Kennedy's to foul things up further

Rather than studying the situation and proceeding cautiously, the US Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith followed in her brother Teddy's footsteps of taunting the Roman Catholic Church with their modernistic tendencies by announcing that, even though she was a Catholic, she would receive Communion in the Anglican Church as the Irish president did last week, creating a national and international furor. Click on Heresy to read more.

Acknowledgment:

To subscribe to Catholic World News Service, available daily by e-mail, click on the CWN icon .

PRAYERS & DEVOTION Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows Father, it was Your Will that the compassionate Mother of Your Son should stand near the Cross on which He was glorified. Grant that Your Church, having shared in Christ's Passion prophesied by Simeon, may also participate in His Resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Charist, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

To review past articles, click on Archives to read text or the following articles in graphics for November are available if you click on NOVEMBER ISSUES
To read the graphics version of the December issues, click on DECEMBER ISSUES

Coming
TOMORROW: Father John Hampsch continues his column on "Operational Christianity"

The Meaning of the Sixth Day of Christmas

Special Prayer to God the Father - Creator.

The next lesson on THE HIDDEN WAY

...and more!

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December 29, 1997 volume 8, no. 62
Front Page

December 1997