Seven Swimming Swans

Alliteration in the Twelve Days of Christmas!

The Swan refers to the astronomical constellation "Cygnus," which is shaped like a cross. It is also known as the Northern Cross.

A swimming swan is the perfect image of the Church at peace.

There are also seven sacraments, so the seven swans a swimming could be referencing that also.

Husband Gifts

Have you ever received a gift that you didn't want, but you knew that the giver put his/her whole heart into it and is just watching your reaction?

Most wives know what I'm talking about.

Many husbands are clueless when it comes to buying their wives gifts. They think they've hit upon the best gift ever, and in reality it's the last thing their wives would ever want. And then they present the gift with such happy, hopeful expectation illuminating their faces, that we wives....well what can we do.....(sigh).

They really are dears.

But.

We were talking about this at work today. One wife received a new camera. She loves her old camera. She's still learning all the many features on it. She takes it every where and is always taking pictures. Hubby to please her bought her the latest model on the market. She hated, loved it. It has a strap to go over her right hand to make it easier to secure the camera. Holding it in her right hand allows the fingers to access all the buttons and dials and gizmos within easy finger reach. It can switch from camera to video. It has audio and is wonderful, except for one thing. She's left handed. :-(

My story is that hubby bought me a TV with a DVD inside it. That was why he bought it. :-/

How much do you want to bet that they won't break at the same time? I mean one or the other is going to break and I'll have a broken appliance that I can't throw away because the other half still works.
:-/

Are we wives ingrates?

Not really. We do appreciate the thought and love that went into the gifts. That's why we don't return them for something we really want. We don't want to break their dear, dear, but misguided hearts.

God bless them.

Six Geese A-Laying

Laying eggs represents birth. It too God six days to create the world. Meditate upon that.

What in a Name?

I'm having the "dickens" of a time trying to name a group I'm giving. I've been asked to help an adult Korean male with his English. I'm thinking of having some friends and this "student" come over for tea.

The "teas" will provide a stage for learning how to present ourselves (student) better. We will all benefit from it, but for us, participation is voluntary; it will be mandatory for the student. The atmosphere will be friendly and informal. The talks will be to help the student communicate better.

We'll discuss whatever: current events, problems and how best to deal with them, etc. The idea is to help this young man improve his English. He's 29, a graduate student and a professional person. All he needs is language skills.

After about an hour, we'll evaluate how we presented ourselves and especially the student. It will be a discussion evaluation.

I can't call this a "class," or "workshop", or "seminar." How about "circle," "forum," or "group?" MMmmmmm, Korean/American Tea---KAT?

What?

The Archbishop's Ring

The "golden ring" in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" doesn't refer to a ring, but a golden pheasant. This bird resembles St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, around the time of the song. An Archbishop wears a red cape, like the golden pheasant. St. Thomas was ever present in people's minds at this time, since he was recently martyred.

Want A Patron Saint for 2010?

Mathew at Catholic Life is offering to give you a patron saint for 2010. This is a fun and nice thing to do. Last year, I did the picking and in so doing, fell in love with the Archangel Raphael. I just feel an affinity for him.

Anyway, hop over to Matthew's blog and request a saint. See who you get?

Colly=Calling

When I learned the Twelve Days of Christmas, I sand, "On the Fourth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Four Colly Birds....." Colly is an old expression for Calling Birds.

It doesn't matter what they're named because it's the color that's important. These birds are black. Black symbolizes death.

Death? Yes because today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28. The day we remember all the babies slain on Herod's orders. Herod had heard that a new baby was born that was the true King. Herod was eliminating the competition.

Nowadays the Feast of the Holy Innocents commemorates all the innocent babies who have died in abortions.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.