I mean 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?

There is no substantive evidence supporting this claim, and no evidence that the claim is historical, or “anything but a fanciful modern day speculation.” But some believe it to be a catechism song to help young Catholics learn their faith.  From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. 

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 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. You can read more here.

Last night I went online and bought tickets to ACL.  It’s perhapes the biggest music festival I’ll ever attend.  I love music and all the burnt albums in youth group are a testament to my passion for tunes.

Well, I will be going with a friend from college and meeting up with friends from Austin.  I would enjoy seeing some other people who are joining thousands for the festivities in Zilker Park, Austin TX on September 26-28, 2008.  You don’t want to miss 3 days, 8 stages, and 130 bands.  I think it’s less about the music and more about the people.  You meet the most random people and relate on so many levels. 

I know Summer will kill me, but you can sleep at my house.

Sundays growing up meant work, not rest. Every Sunday morning without fail we got up earlier, normally ate cinnamon rolls or cinnamon toast, and made it to church for Sunday school. I hated Sundays as a child because not only did I get up early but I had to wear “Sunday clothes.” Now this was before children’s church so I sat through Sunday school and then the morning message. Okay, so I didn’t sit, I normally slept lying on the pew – but those stained glass windows will forever be engraved in my mind. We normally went to lunch at service with my grandparents and then home for a short nap, because the Sunday night service started at six o’clock sharp. I liked the evening service better because I could wear jeans and play outside unless it was a revival and my mom felt I needed reviving.

I say all this because it wasn’t rest, it was busy. Today my family went to a casual service, afterward Tatum took at nap, and we played in the backyard. I made a homemade Slip n’ Slide in the backyard. And as I lied on my stomach on the wet plastic playing with my daughter I thought – This Is Rest! This is what Sundays were made for and I think I saw Jesus smiling when my daughter giggled.

Summer called it Slip n’ Slide Sunday – I liked to think of it as REST.

Picture Shop

I also think they have one of the best websites active.