The Origins of the Twelve Days of Christmas

"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 turtle doves were the 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 HolySpirit:

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 inThe Apostles' Creed.

- kindly submitted by Sister Teoh of CSU to the CSS Email. It's something nice to reflect upon, and at any rate, a colorful way to end the new year. Happy 2008!!! =)

Prayer, revolutionized.

Blessed Advent, guys!

It's great to see the carolling pictures, you guys are making me miss the CSS more than ever. Just like to say, make use of our small community in IMU, while you can. ;) 'Cos we dont have a prayer group here and I have to say, it's been a tough journey spiritually. So, do keep us ahem, old people in your prayers yeah.

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Michelle, our past CSS IMU president for the term 2004/2005 back was just talking to me today. She was telling me to visit the site http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/, which I find very interesting. The site is run by the Jesuits and offers daily prayers audio clips that you can download and save to your mp3 players. So, why not give it a try yeah? It's perfect especially if you're always on the go. I know it did inspire me to try to pray daily.

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All the best to you guys who'll be sitting for exams. May the Lord be with you, and grant you memory and understanding. All the best to the rest too, especially to Nikki, Bryan and Iggy who'll be leaving soon for Queensland. Jon and the gang, you guys have been doing a great job, especially with the keeping people in prayers bit. Reading CSS emails have been rather entertaining. ;)

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So, have a blessed Christmas everyone. You've been missed.

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With lots of love from chilly Glasgow,
Daphie

Some Caroling Pictures Day 1

I'm compiling the pictures... Anyone has more, please let me know.

Some Caroling Pictures Day 2

If anyone has more, please pass to me. I'm trying to compile.