This is My Winter Song To You...

"Sunshine and Snow," signed orginal oil painting (Sold) by
Artist John Haskins

The Colomb Art Gallery, London - Marylebone W1
The Colomb Art Gallery, London Marylebone W1 - A Central London art gallery ... Sir William Russell Flint Ken Hammond John Haskins Jean Healy Edward ...




Snow Angels...

Happiness can be felt only if you don't set conditions.




Sara Bareilles - Winter Song
Sony BMG Music (C) 2008

Today's Prayer

Heavenly father, open my eyes that I may see You in the beauty of nature and be awed by Your power. Amen

On the twelfth day of Christmas...

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds,

Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

Baptism of Christ Artist: Pieter de Grebber (b. ca. 1600)

Each of the songs gifts actually have hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. For example the "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The other symbols mean the following:

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





These are pretty...

12 Days of Christmas ( Shelly Tribbey Designs)
stitched by Janet Knudsen
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/stitchers_corner/stitchers11.html

Parody of the "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by Frank Kelly

On the eleventh day of Christmas...meet country music recording artist Jimmy Wayne

On the Road to Emmaus (Talking, Walking, Sharing, Knowing)

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Eleven pipers piping, and one talented country music recording artist who has just started walking across America to raise awareness for homeless kids!

Jimmy Wayne to walk across the country to raise awareness about homelessness
The Tennessean (blog) - Cindy Watts - ‎Dec 22, 2009‎
Click to see a slide show of photos taken at Jimmy Wayne's 'Sara Smile' video shoot (this photo: Larry McCormack/The Tennessean). ...

Jimmy Wayne - Paper Angels

"My main focus is to raise awareness to the kids who age out of the system. They have no where else to go, but a shelter and sometimes they don't get in," said Wayne.

If you would follow Jimmy's journey on Twitter please go to http://twitter.com/JimmyWayne

On the tenth day of Christmas...

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Why? Because it's cold as heck outside! Actually, it really is cold outside today but the "Ten Lords" in this song refers to the the Ten Commandments...



"Be imitators of God, as beloved children and live in love." Ephesians 5:1-2 NRSV





"Lord of the Dance" by Steven Curtis Chapman

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank

On the ninth day of Christmas...I've Got Rhythm

Collague from Scrapiteria, Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

"I Got Rhythm" Gene Kelly in the motion picture "An American In Paris" (1951)

Have a happy day--what else can you get for nothing!

On the eight day of Christmas

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

Original "got milk?" commercial

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes!

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3-10

On the seventh day of Christmas...

Judy Freidel
Judy Freidel. Swan Quilt quilted fiber. Hot Springs. judyfreidel@att.net · Crafts · Drawings and Graphics. For me, the goal of my artwork is to create a ...






Seven Swans A Swimming Painting by Carolyn Bell

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.





Swans video by Wintermood

"God I thank you for the days of my life yet to come in which I can act out my faith in my everyday life. Amen.