BB FANS

HERE is my Christmas card to you all.

Christine that was such FUN!

Happy Christmas to you too

My kids said thanks and Merry Christmas too

That is great fun!

Thank you very much Christine. Merry Christmas to you too.

I'm not on the forum much these days (although I do browse).

I would just like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and All The Best for 2008!

God bless,

Suzanne x

Hah that was awesome Christine!

Subject: Christmas Carol


Christmas Lore

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and
especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have
to do with Christmas?

Today, I found out. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England
were not permitted to practice their faith openly.

Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young
Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden
meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the

carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could

remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtledoves were th e Old and New Testaments

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke
&John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five
books of the Old Testament.

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

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy
Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution,
Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

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

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in
The Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me
and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that
strange song became a Christmas Carol

Thank you for the card Christine.
I wish you all a Happy and peaceful Christmas...

Brilliant Card Christine, thank you very much.


May I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a HAPPY NEW YEAR


[

Wow Madeline - never knew any of that.

Am really trying not to be Mrs B Humbug this year...

But what Christmas has become DOES bug me! Why did the Catholic church have to take over a festival which had its origins in pagan and other traditions? (I think I'm allowed to ask that question, coming from a Catholic background).

I'm very happy to celebrate the birth of Jesus - and find the idea of the passing of mid-winter genuinely moving. Days beginning to get longer, and spring growth already underway, beneath the dark ground. But lumping the two celebrations into one mega-bash has resulted in so much trouble.

Sorry sorry sorry...I do wish everyone a lovely Christmas.

Thanks for the fabulous ecard, Christine! I've enjoyed smashing the windows, lol!!

GG - I do see where you're coming from...

And that's a fascinating explanation of the 12 Days of Christmas song, Mads.


Happy Christmas to everyone on BBFans, btw!

For anyone who is not familiar with the Jacquie Lawson ecards, there's a lovely story book here:

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?cont=1&hdn=0&pv=3133567

I love those cards VB, they are so pretty.

That is lovely vagabond. The Jacquie Lawson cards are really good.

Happy Christmas everyone. Hope you have a great time, and get some calm and peace as well as the fun stuff!

Happy 2008 as well.

love td xxxxx