The 12 days of Christmas

RELIGION

Lorna Dueck

The 12 days of Christmas

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 | 12:55 PM ET Comments0Recommend14
By Lorna Dueck, special to CBC News

The Christmas ditty we know as the "Twelve Days of Christmas" contains enough inner meanings to show that the sacred and secular have always enjoyed a competitive dance at this time of the year.

An artist hangs from a balloon meant to symbolize the Three Wise Men bearing gifts in an Epiphany parade in Madrid, in January 2008. (Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press) It's a shame the church lost this one, but you'd be hard pressed to prove that the sixth century decree to set aside12 days between Christmas and Epiphany has survived its original intent.

Christmas has kept its branding, of course, but outside of the church faithful, Epiphany has become a lost cause.

To me, it still means "surprise," the joy and revelation of Jesus's manifestation on Earth and all that that implies. But Epiphany, the originating rationale for the 12 days of Christmas, is a bit more complicated. Epiphany, Jan. 6, was the day set aside to remember the gift-bearing wise men who visited Jesus in his early days.

Over time and through the inclusion of other traditions, the events of Jesus's baptism and his miracles in creating wine and food were sometimes included.

Yes, Epiphany is a time to remember the party Jesus. The Jesus who created wine at a dried-up wedding and a picnic for 5,000 who neglected to bring their lunch. Epiphany was once the time to highlight extravagant gifts, wine and food.

For many, it was also a time to remember Jesus' baptism, when even the Son of God washed himself in the waters of repentance.

Too much fun

Its failing, I think, was that Epiphany just tried to pack too much into too small a space and for many it simply withered away between heresies and theologies, calendar confusion and a host of Eastern and Western versions.

As a result, the 12 days of Christmas, which were supposed to be given us by the true love of God, have evolved each year into another parody. This year's latest — 12 days of free downloads and 12 hits of drugs to share (sing "… five Percodan") — are another reflection of the ungainly dance between the sacred and the profane. So allow me to join the tradition of well-meaning scribes who for centuries have tried to reconnect the 12 days with Christian concepts.

I'll start with the gifts and their assigned interpretations and I will suggest a current recipient the gift would be ideal for.

Twelve gifts

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

A partridge in a pear tree
This is a symbol of Christ himself or, as Luke saw it, the imagery of a bird sheltering a battered Jerusalem under it's wing, a gift for the Middle East still in need of peace.

Two turtle doves
This would be gifts of the Old and New Testaments, great for any reader on your list. Look for a newer translation as these volumes were reportedly bumped from their historic number one spot on the bestseller list in recent years by the Harry Potter series.

Three French hens
Faith, hope and love. Virtues needed by anyone feeling beat up by the current recession and a reminder we're not in this alone.

Four calling birds
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the voices of early gospel writers. All educated children should have the joy of this gift. Perhaps it could go back under the public school board Christmas tree.

Five golden rings
The first five books of the Torah and the Old Testament, which are the same. They reflect the complex story of how one nation was set above the others to live out the truth of God redeeming a broken human race. Best to avoid giving this to anyone with political ambitions.

Six geese a-laying
The six days of creation. Perfect for the university student puzzled by Intelligent Design Theory.

Seven swans a-swimming
Prophecy, teaching, ministry, exhortation, compassion, giving and leading. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, ideal for a church worker or CEO on your list.

Eight maids a-milking
The eight Beatitudes of Matthew 5, which all summarize a gentle, co-operative spirit. A prime minister overseeing a minority parliament might like these.

Nine ladies dancing
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, generosity, faithfulness and self control; the fruits of the Spirit referenced in Galatians 5:22. Any married couple on your list would love a package deal.

Ten lords a-leaping
The Ten Commandments. Never hurts to remind anyone of the do's and don'ts.

Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven faithful apostles of Jesus (note Judas the betrayer is left off the list). A nice reminder for anyone in a complicated family that a great variety of ordinary people were good enough for God to work with.

Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed. This is for person on your list who loves maps and solid reference points. To summarize, the 12 days of Christmas were meant to commemorate Christ's identity being revealed in the world. We don't have to look far to find a connection that could still benefit from that gift.

Sell, sell, sell

Sell all my AIG shares, Nortel too!! ;-)

Saturday afternoon bike ride

Ready for some cold, winter bike rides ;-)







Temperature: -2C, 15kph winds, blowing easterly

Wanted to break the ice ;-). No ice on the road to break; just wanted to break the deadlock of weeks off the saddle.

Gathered together all my cold weather riding gear, prepped my road bike: greased the chain, gears, tire pressure, etc.


25km of riding pleasure - woohoo!

Walk with God

He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known. —Miles

Polish driver follows GPS directions into lake

A Polish driver who was too sure of his GPS road navigation device ended up neck-deep in a lake after ignoring road signs warning of a dead-end ahead, Polish police said Friday. Skip related content

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"The man took a road that was closed a year ago when the area was flooded to make an artificial lake serving as a water reservoir -- he ignored three road signs warning of a dead-end," Piotr Smolen, police spokesman in Glubczyce, southern Poland, told AFP Friday.

"It was still night time and he didn't notice the road led into the lake. His GPS told him to drive straight ahead and he did," Smolen said, adding the driver had not been under the influence of alcohol.

The road ran straight downhill into the lake. The Mercedes mini-van was nearly entirely submerged and was unable to back out on its own after being inundated with water.

The driver and two passengers escaped unharmed from the submerged vehicle and waited on its roof for police and fire rescue crews.

The driver placed the first call to emergency services while still inside the sinking van.

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Baby Lauren

 

Apple Picking at Verger Lacroix, Thanksgiving Weekend

Pedal Power

Pedal Power

Learn the basics of biking with pro-advice, confidence-building drills, and a training plan developed by Cooking Light expert Gin Miller.

David Martinez Slideshow: Beginner Biking Plan Gear Up! Reader: Beth Griffiths, Williston, Vermont Her challenge: "I want to be more confident riding my bike." Her story: "Last spring, in a quest to get in shape, my husband and I decided to use the money we had saved for a new mattress on bikes instead," Griffiths says. "We thought bike riding could help us feel just as good—if not better than—a new mattress. Plus, we have fantastic places for riding. I fondly remember bike riding when I was younger and thought this would be a great way to shape up. When the bikes arrived, I couldn't wait to give mine a try. But one hilly venture was too much for me. As I was pedaling myself uphill, I ran out of steam. When I tried to get off the bike to walk the rest of the way up, I tipped over. While my only physical injury was a scraped knee, my pride was substantially bruised," Griffiths says. Gin's prescription: "I've teamed with Dotsie Bausch, a professional cyclist since 2002 and leader of the Colavita/Sutter Home Women's Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light, to create a beginner's training guide, supplemented with useful information, confidence-building drills, and simple tips for Griffiths and other new riders," Miller says. Pace yourself. "Griffiths tried to do too much too soon in her first ride," Miller says. "While it's true that once you learn, you never forget how to ride a bike, becoming reacquainted with riding can be made easier with a little knowledge—especially for climbing hills, which shouldn't necessarily be part of a beginner's first ride." Plus, if you're rediscovering biking as an adult, your bike may have a few more bells and whistles than the one you rode as a kid. Look for proper fit. "Griffiths may have found bike riding to be harder than she remembered because her bike wasn't properly fitted to her body," Bausch says. "It's like walking in shoes that are too big or too small—it just doesn't work." If you're buying a new bike, have the sales assistant make the needed alterations. If you already have a bike, take it to your local bike shop for adjustments Stay motivated. "One of the most basic things a new rider should do is keep up the effort," Miller says. "That means continuing to ride—even when you fall off. It takes a few excursions to develop what cycling enthusiasts refer to as 'biking legs,' which simply means allowing your body to adapt to the new activity. Once Griffiths becomes comfortable on her bike, she will see rapid improvement and be able to ride anywhere."

Kahirup Association Anniversary Ball, 2008

Collaging with Picasa 3

Collaging (if there's such a word) ;-)), created with Picasa 3

Are you afraid of the dark?

Remember to keep your Vistalite NightStick batteries fully charged.

Pauly and Lalaine's New Ride - PTL

Facebook Profile Page

This is Tito Lit's Profile Picture at Facebook.

Facebook me y'all!!

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La Ronde 2008

Early evening ride to the Old Port

Espinosa Family Reunion 2008 - Day 3, Picnic

Picnic at Ashbridge Bay Park

Espinosa Family Reunion 2008 - Day 2, Dinner

Dinner at the Port Union Community Center, Scarborough, Ontario

Espinosa Family Reunion 2008 - Day 2, Daytime

Breakfast at the Delta Chelsea, sightseeing on Yonge St, visit and some shopping at the Eaton Centre

Espinosa Family Reunion 2008 - Day 1

Drive to Toronto, visit to Niagara Falls

Filippo Pozzato's Liquigas Cannondale SuperSix

Pippo's green dream machine

Filippo "Pippo" Pozzato (Liquigas) is no shrinking violet. Rarely a race goes by without him unveiling a new pair of shoes - like the flowery ones he wore at Milano-Sanremo this year - or a new paint scheme for his bike. His flowing blonde hair is always immaculate (before the races anyway) and off the bike he drives a Ferrari and is one of the most style conscious riders in the peloton. At this year's Le Grand Boucle the 2006 winner of La Primavera is hoping to add to his tally of two stage victories astride a Tour de France commemorative special.

As a classics specialist, the Italian has been trying to get himself into breakaways this year to have some chance of getting that stage victory. On stage 11's transitional parcours into Foix he was a member of the group that managed to escape the peloton but unfortunately missed the decisive split in the closing stages and finished a disappointed 7th behind CSC-Saxo Bank's Kurt-Asle Arvesen. He hasn't managed to feature since, but as soon as the race leaves the Alps in the journey towards Paris we fully expect him to try his luck at least once more.
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Lunch at the Towne Hall

Sam wanted to take me to this new place he discovered.

It is the Towne Hall, just across the Monster Gym on Brunswick Blvd, Pointe Claire.

Sea Bass dish over peas and mushrooms - loved it

sprinkle with a little bit of pepper

Sam with our server - great service, and the place looks great!

http://www.townehall.ca/

After dinner walk with a very pregnant Lalaine

Tita Nil, Paul, Lalaine and I go for a walk around the neighborhood after a very delicious pasta dinner prepared by Tita Nil .Yummy! Tummy!! ;-))

this is our action pose ;-)

Late TGIF afternoon ride with Uncle Pilo aka Felino

Feeling much better after nursing a cold for the last few days, beautiful weather, I and Uncle Pilo decided we wanted to go for a ride - meet up somewhere along the Lachine Canal bike path and ride to the Old Port and back.

We said we'd go on a leisurely pace, but, having a good tailwind behind us, we average over 30 kph on the way the Old Port.

The ride back wasn't too bad, considering that this time we had to ride against a headwind. We still manage to average around 25 kph.

so we get to the Old Port, we decided we wanted to have a coffee break, Pilo decides he was going to buy, get coffee and muffin, and he comes back with coffee and this, Beavertails ;-))

tough to say no to Beavertails, specially when already bought and paid for ;-)), it was a good source of energy as we rode back against a headwind

talking on the phone with Mom, getting the latest update regarding brother Nick-Nick

thanks for the coffee and Beavertails (aka cycling energy food) Uncle Pilo

lock, loaded, and ready to head back home

Walk after dinner

Walk after dinner, originally uploaded by airpurifiers_r_us.

walk around the Place Riviera area, new houses in the area

Tour de France Update

17:55 - The New Top Five Of General Classification

After 3,001.5km of racing the top five of the general classification is:

1. Carlos Sastre (ESP) CSC
2. Frank Schleck (LUX) CSC - at 1’24"
3. Bernhard Kohl (AUT) GST - at 1’33"
4. Cadel Evans (AUS) SIL - at 1’34"
5. Denis Menchov (RUS) RAB - at 2’39"

17:53 - Top 10 In Stage 17, The top 10 in the 17th stage is:

1. Carlos Sastre (ESP) CSC - 210.5km in 6h’07’58" (34.323km/h)
2. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) EUS - at 2’03"
3. Andy Schleck (LUX) CSC at 2’03"
4. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) GCE - at 2’13"
5. Frank Schleck (LUX) CSC - at 2’13"
6. Vladimir Efimkin (RUS) ALM - at 2’15"
7. Cadel Evans (AUS) SIL - at 2’15"
8. Denis Menchov (RUS) RAB - at 2’15"
9. Christian Vande Velde (USA) GAR - at 2’15"

All the news flashes from the TDF 2008 site

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Maiden ride with Giro Atmos helmet

Rode once again from Pierrefonds near Sources blvd to the Kirkland Colisee via the Pierrefonds Blvd. bike path, turning left on Château Pierrefonds and winding my way through the Kirkland side streets. I'm glad I found my way around going to and coming back.

33.9 km ride, strong winds heading west, tail wind going back

reaching the Kirkland Colisee parking lot, Kirkland, QC

casting a shadow

Giro Atmos helmet

light grey, almost white

rear

front

posted earlier this comment: "the giro atmos helmet is so light, my head feels like it's not covered, i mean, lots of air flowing through and breezing through, cooling my head, as if it's exposed, nothing covering it, i had to check a couple of times just to make sure the helmet was still there ;-))"

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Mommy's Fish and Chips Fix

Every now and then I get a craving for Mommy's Fish and Chips and today I got my fix, which should be good for at least a couple of months ;-)).

medium fish n chips, with ketchup for Tita Nil

medium fish n chips, without ketchup for Tito Lits

St. Joseph Blvd. in Lachine, walking towards the Rossi Bicycles Store, shopping for a new cycling helmet.

Giro Atmos at Rossi was $170.00. Paul called Cycles St. Laurent, checked with Howard - $148.00 tax-in. Wooohoooo!!

From Lachine, we drove to Bombardier near Parkway Motors to pick up Trish from work, then we headed to Cycles St. Laurent to pick up the Giro Atmos helmet, it was also there where we met up with Pauly.

After transacting our business at Cycles St. Laurent, we parted ways with Pauly Boy (on his way to pick up Lalaine), then we drove to Vanier College, a couple blocks away, to pick up Pam from work, and we all (Tita Nil, I, Trish, and Pam) drove back home, altogether in one CRV. ;-)))

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OVERALL STANDING BY POINTS - end of stage 7

OVERALL STANDING BY POINTS

1.KIRCHEN K.

THR

28h 23' 40"

2.EVANS C.

SIL

00' 06"

3.SCHUMACHER S.

GST

00' 16"

4.VANDEVELDE C.

TSL

00' 44"

5.MENCHOV D.

RAB

01' 03"

6.VALVERDE A.

GCE

01' 12"

7.MILLAR D.

TSL

01' 14"

8.DEVOLDER S.

QST

01' 21"

9.PEREIRO SIO O.

GCE

01' 21"

10.LÖVKVIST T.

THR

01' 21"

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