A GREAT CHRISTMAS CAROL that baffles many, needs a bit of explanation.

What in the world do Leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans and especially the partridge that refuses to come out of the pear tree, have to do with Chtistmas?

Well, from 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Deuring that era, someone wrote this carol as a catechism ( a summary of religious doctrine,) in song form for young Catholics. There are two levels of meaning, the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the faith. Each element in the carol gas a ccode word for a religiois reality which children could remember.

The partridge in the pear tree was … Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the old and the new testament.

Three French hens stood for faith hope and love.

Four calling birds were the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John

Five golden rings recalled the Torah or law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

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.

Ten lord’s 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.

MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST SETTLE ON ALL, ESPECIALLY UPON CHILDREN OF THE WORLD WHO LACK EDUCATION! ( AS WELL AS FOOD, CLOTHING, A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS AND ATTENTIVE GUIDANCE BY EMPLOYED PAREHNTS!)

Atta girl…. always jumping in with an inane comment.

larn to schpell hatred ?

Life is tough. You remain, despite your puffery, a shallow individual!

The present Pope should have declined the honor as atonement for the actions of the church in the past. He should have never been allowed to rise in the Holy See as he has. The church should have purged all remnants of the Nazi state a long time ago. That has happened now, by virtue of the fact that the Pope is part of the last vestiges of those originals. The Hitlerjugend was youth outreach of the Nazi party. Its leaders were both executed by the authorities and imprisoned.

You know nothing of me or my work as a volunteer. Nor will I share it with you. Your comments on your solutions to Haywards problems are yours and unique. Good for you. Your zeal and enthusiasm is admirable, I guess. I am sure your outreach in to the community is of great notice and is well respected by all.

Perhaps it is true, as you said, that Hayword in your opinion is of no purpose to the community. But, this is America, and both you and I may speak. Merry Christmas.

Peace unto you.

Are you related by blood or narriage to the Rev Paisley the Presbyterian Minister who never refered to the pope as old slipper foot! That gentleman sent his drun bangers and orange flags into Catholic areas of Ulster for the simple reason of antagonizing or Terrorizing Catholic populatiohn as part of celebrating the battle of the Boyne, which had occurred hundreds of years earlier. Good old King Henry knocked off Cromwell as well as wives…… and is fondly remembered. Right?

Hitler Youth was a prewar organization which trapped young men into wehrmact on a supposedly volunteer basis.

You refuse acceptance of my tale of ‘Fred’ the natuarlized citizen, who as a boy in his native Germany in the early period of 1945, enjoyed the experience similar to that of the Pope. He, as a naturalized US citizen was ‘drafted’ from Oakland into the same Armored unit with me. Fred took a hard time at Ft Knox, from that vast pool of intellect enamaniting from East Ky, (in exchange for three hots and a cot), for just being German. In truth the man had escaped a reign of terror near the end of the war when trapped into the equivalent of the ‘presed man’ from days of English navy history. Fred escaped and hid out, shedding his uniform as he went from one home to another until reaching his own ‘village’ Had he been caughr he would have died on the spot. The pope was pressed into an anti-aircraft battery and had no such opportunity. You Foolish man! You have failed your direct benefactors, parents, teachers etc!

You behave precisely as did that dreadful Presbyterian Minister Ian Paisly in Ulster back in the 50′s through 80′s. That man could never use a descrpition of the Pope save by that which he frequently used …’old slipper foot’.

I urge you to consider your position….. you have absolutely nothing to gain by living a life dedicated to hatred. Fella, hatred drips off your remarks.

Review your contributions to the blog…. when did you contribute at least a ‘trial balloon’ i.e. a pro-active thought in which the thread of an idea was contained and in which thougt and contribution from the group, might have been picked up, developed and found usheful as at least part of a solution.

You abjure volunteerism which has been one of the great strengths of this country. Which raises this question…. how would your worth to the School District, the City or any larger part of the community ever be measured and accepted as a matter drawing admiration?

You obviously have had benefit of education but you abuse it! Worse yet, you dishonor those who made it possible for you to gain access to education.

Ergo, you have no value to yourself! Think about that, if possible!

Fortunately your viewpoint is not widespread.

The letter probably goes in the mail to ANG Corpotrate HQ. tommorrow! Perhaps it will conclude that the Hayword blog serves no purpose in the community!