12 Days of Christmas

Christmas is here! 

I think we are all familiar with the Christmas song, “12 Days of Christmas, ayt?  Especially for the Catholics, the song was frequently sung in the church during Christmas season over the years.. But does everybody know what the real meaning of this song? We may think that it is just an ordinary phrase with a list of strange gifts, repetitious melody and a nonsense verse set to music but essentially, it has a quite serious intention when it was written. 

CATHOLIC WAS A CRIME!

During the period 1558 to 1829, Parliament emancipated Catholics in England where Catholics were prohibited from practicing their faith whether in private or public (by-law). Anyone caught indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get imprisoned, it could also get you hanged, shortened by head, drawn and quartered or a very ghastly punishment.

Hanging, drawing and quartering involved hanging a person by the neck until they had almost, but not quite, suffocated to death; then the party was taken down from the gallows, and eviscerate while still alive; and while the entrails were still lying on the street, where the executioners stomped all over them, the victim was tied to four large farm horses, and literally torn into five parts - one to each limb and the remaining torso.

( http://www.byrum.org/misc/christmas/origin.html)

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs". Since, Catholic faith was a transgression, the author inscribe his faith through a very strange yet symbolic gift to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith.

 

Religious symbolism of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. 

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Two Turtle Doves

The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Three French Hens

The Three Theological Virtues:  1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Four Calling Birds

The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Five Gold Rings

The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch:  1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Six Geese A-laying

The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Seven Swans A-swimming

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eight Maids A-milking

The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Nine Ladies Dancing

The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.  (Galatians 5:22)

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Ten Lords A-leaping

The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eleven Pipers Piping

The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James.  (Luke 6:14-16).  The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Twelve Drummers Drumming

The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

 Source: http://www.crivoice.org/cy12days.html

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What is a friend?

What is a friend? Ill tell you

It is a person with whom you are to be

yourself –Your soul can go naked with him

He seems to ask you to put on nothing

Appreciating you for who you truthfully are

When you are with him, you do not have to be

on your guard .You can say what you think

So long as it is genuinely you

He understands the contradictions in your

nature which cause others to

misjudge you. With him you breathe freely….

You can profess your little vanities,

Envies and absurdities –and in opening

Them up to him, they are vanished

Onto the white ocean of his loyalty

He understands. You can weep with him,

laugh with him, pray with him

through it all, he sees, knows and loves you

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"FATHER"

Standing tall and strong, he is my hero.
Placing my small hands into his,
feeling nothing could beat us.
Smiling up at him,
Looking into my Daddy's eyes.

He can do anything, for he is so brave.
He knows how to make me laugh
when I feel sad.
There is nothing better than
Looking into my Daddy's eyes.

I love when he dances with me,
standing on his toes,
we move around the room
While looking up
into my Daddy's eyes.

He makes me feel big and grown,
taking his hands, knowing
nothing can hurt my Daddy and me.
When I am afraid, all I have to do
Is look into my Daddy's eyes.

Many years have come and gone,
no longer that little child,
still I look forward to taking
my Daddy's hands
and looking into his eyes.

Seeing in his eyes,
forever I'll be
Daddy's little girl.

 

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Love and Time

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.

Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.

When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said,
"Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!"
"I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you."
"Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Realizing how much was owed the elder,

Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?"
"It was Time," Knowledge answered.
"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered,

"Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

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He's Just Not That into You

What if you meet the love of your life, are you supposed to let them pass you by?

Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, Every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope.

He's Just Not That into You is an American romantic comedy film, based on the self-help book of the same name by Greg Behrendtand Liz Tuccillo, The film features an ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Sasha Alexander, Justin Long, Jennifer Connelly, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kevin Connolly, and Bradley Cooper.

Nine people in Baltimore deal with their respective romantic problems, usually thwarted by the differing ideals and desires of their chosen partner. At the center of this is Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin), a young woman who repeatedly  misinterprets the behavior of her romantic partners. well, To know the twist of the story, you better watch it ;)

 And that same wise person told me that I'm the rule. That I have to stop thinking that every guy will change, that I have to stop thinking that... 

YOU ARE MY EXCEPTION!!

Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He's_Just_Not_That_into_You_(film)

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Night in Rodanthe

Oh I can’t believe I’m making this blog cos it’s been 2 months now since I watched this movie but I just can’t help myself – I need to share it,  else it would keep on hounding my mind.

This is another film adaptation of the popular romance novel with the same name by (my favorite) NICHOLAS SPARKS. The film stars Richard Gere(Paul) and Diane Lane (Adrienne) .

Here’s a glimpse

Nights in Rodanthe tells the tale of a doctor (Richard Gere), who arrives at the inn with his own emotional baggage - enters into a passionate affair with an unhappy wife (Diane Lane) who is also having a break to a friend’s bed-and-breakfast for the weekend. The house is rustic, so romantic and right on the beach. They dine together, share stories and eventually turn to each other for emotional comfort. Being the only guest, the two team up to protect the inn When a storm hits them.

  

-  AND that is how it all started.

When their break ends, the two give their word of coming back after resolving their own issues. But Adrienne ultimately is left all alone with her nearly unbearable grief knowing that he is not able to be with her again.

The Beach Side INN

You should not miss this movie; it has a full-grown manner that’s worth watching for and a paperback that you would surely enjoy. I’ll buy one in time ^^

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Poem Generator

Hey guys! Mahilig ka bas a poem?? If that’s so, then here’s for you...We already tried this and we burst out into laughter… It’s really cool, Try it!!

 Visit this site  http://www.links2love.com/poem_generator.htm and you’ll gonna have an instant poem.

Here’s a sample of mine and my friends generated poem.

chariss

Your skin glows like the Grapes, blossoms Sweet  as the  White Rose in the purest hope of spring.

My heart follows your Piano  voice and leaps like a bird at the whisper of your name.

The evening floats in on a great  lovebirds wing.

I am comforted by your shirt that I carry into the twilight of housebeams and hold next to my arm.

I am filled with hope that I may dry your tears of water.

As my  eyes falls from my jeans, it reminds me of your rainbow.

In the quiet, I listen for the last good of the day.

My heated neck leaps to my dress. I wait in the moonlight for your secret library so that we may carry as one, neck to neck, in search of the magnificient red and mystical garden of love.

diday

Your skin glows like the durian, blossoms sweet  as the  red rose in the purest hope of spring.

My heart follows your flute  voice and leaps like a puppy at the whisper of your name.

The evening floats in on a great  pigeon wing.

I am comforted by your jeans that I carry into the twilight of gonzalobeams and hold next to my lips.

I am filled with hope that I may dry your tears of wine.

As my  eyes falls from my dress, it reminds me of your gladys.

In the quiet, I listen for the last mild of the day.

My heated nose leaps to my shirt. I wait in the moonlight for your secret family so that we may happy as one, nose to nose, in search of the magnificient white and mystical paris, france of love.

AND MINE..

Your skin glows like the apple, blossoms simple as the rose in the purest hope of spring.

My heart follows your guitar voice and leaps like a cat at the whisper of your name.

The evening floats in on a great eagle wing.

I am comforted by your armani that I carry into the twilight of londonbeams and hold next to my lips.

I am filled with hope that I may dry your tears of wine.

As my eyes falls from my gucci, it reminds me of your love.

In the quiet, I listen for the last strumming of the day.

My heated hands leaps to my underwear. I wait in the moonlight for your secret paris so that we may dancing as one, hands to hands, in search of the magnificient blue and mystical snow of love.

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Wings of Prayer

Just close your eyes and open your heart,

and feel your worries and cares depart..

Just yield your self to the father above, 

and let HIM hold you secure in HIS love.
For life on earth grows more involved, 

with endless problems that can’t be solved. 

But GOD only asks as to do our best then
HE will take over and finish the res
So when you are tired,
  discouraged and blue,

there is always one door that is open to you,
and that is the door to the house of prayer,
and you’ll find GOD waiting to meet you there
     and the house of prayed is no
  further away, than the quiet spot
      where you kneel and pray.
For the heart is a temple where GOD is there,
       as we place ourselves
           in loving care..and HE hears  ever
prayer and answers each one 

     when we pray in
  –THY WILL BE DONE! 

 Thy burdens that seems so heavy to bear 

       Just lift it away on the...

      
  WINGS OF PRAYER.

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Find the way

FIND THE WAY

They say that to err is human,

and

Doubtlessly that’s true,

But what they forgot to tell you

Those mistakes mean growth for you

Failure never means defeat

And to failed is not a sin

Instead, it’s a chance to get

back up, and climb the hill again

take the setbacks in stride and

make failure a time of reflection

remember that it takes practice

should you hope to gain

perfection even if you veer from

the path and find yourself astray

if you hold your dreams dear,

you’ll eventually FIND THE WAY...

And when you look back all the

trials you endured in the past, it

will such an incredible feeling to

know that..

YOU MADE IT LAST!!!

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i just want to be where YOU are

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 I JUST WANT TO BE WHERE YOU ARE

Don Moen

I just want to be Where You are
Dwelling daily in Your presence
I don't want to worship From afar
Draw me near To where You are

I just want to be Where You are
In Your dwelling place Forever
Take me to the place Where you are
'Cause I just want To be with You

I want to be where You are
Dwelling In Your presence
Feasting at Your table
Surrounded by Your glory
In Your presence
That's where I
Always want to be
I just want to be
I just want to be
With You

I just want to be Where You are
To enter boldly In Your presence
I don't want to worship From afar
Draw me near to
Where You are

O my God
You are my strength
And my song
And when I'm
In Your presence
Though I'm weak
You're always strong

I just want to be Where You are
In Your dwelling place Forever
Take me to the place Where You are
'Cause I just want To be

I just want to be With You
I just want to be
I just want to be With You
I just want to be
I just want to be With You

I just want to be
I just want to be
With You

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I CAN

The Man Who Thinks He Can

 Walter D. Wintle

If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don't;

If you'd like to win, but think you can't,

It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost,

For out in the word we find

Success begins with a fellow's will,

It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outcasted, you are;

You've got to think high to rise.

You've got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man;

But soon or late the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can. 

If others can do, why can't I?!

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30 Days!

CAN ANY MESSAGE BE MORE TOUCHING THAN THIS???

Daniel: I guess we are the left overs in this world.

Jasmine: I think so.. All of my friends have boyfriends and we are the only 2 persons

              left in this world without any special someone in our lives.

Daniel: Yup! I don't know what to do.

Jasmine: I know! We'll play a game.

Daniel: What game?

Jasmine: I'll be your girlfriend for 30 days and you will be my boyfriend.

Daniel: That's a great plan in fact, I don't have anything to do for the following weeks..

DAY 1:

They watched their first movie together and were both touched in the romantic film.

DAY 4:

They went to the beach and had a picnic... Daniel and Jasmine had their quality time together.

DAY 12:

Daniel invited Jasmine to a circus and they went to a Horror House.. Jasmine was scared

and she tried to touch Daniel's hand but by accident she touched someone else's and they both laughed..

DAY 14:

They saw a fortune teller down the road and asked for their future. The fortune teller said: "My darlings, please doesn’t waste the time of your lives... spend your time together happily." Then tears flow from the teller's eyes.

DAY 20:

Jasmine invited Daniel to go to the hill and they saw a meteor... Jasmine mumbled something.

DAY 28:

They rode on a bus and because of the bumpy road, Jasmine gave her first kiss to Daniel by accident.

DAY 29:

      11:37 pm

Daniel and Jasmine were sitting in the park where they first decided to play this game...

Daniel: I'm tired Jasmine... do you want any drinks? I'll buy you one... I'll just go down the road...

Jasmine: Apple juice would be fine, thanks.

Daniel: Wait for me...

    20 minutes later... a stranger approached Jasmine.

Stranger: Are you a friend of Daniel?

Jasmine: Yes, why? What happened?

Stranger: A reckless drunken driver ran over Daniel and he is critical in the hospital.

    11:57pm

The doctor came out from the emergency room and handed out an apple juice and a letter to Jasmine.

Doctor: We found this in Daniel's pocket.

Jasmine read the letter which says:

Jasmine, these past few days, I realized you are really a cute girl & I am falling for you... Your cherished smile, your everything when we played this game... & before this game ends, I would like you to be my girlfriend for the rest of my life. I love you, Jasmine...

Jasmine crumples the paper and shouted...

"Daniel! I don't want you to die...I love you... Remember that night we saw a meteor? I mumbled something.. I wished that we would be together forever and never end this game. Please don't leave me, Daniel... I love you, you can't do this to me...

THEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 12

Daniel's heart stop pumping

THEN IT WAS THE 30th DAY...

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Always love your loved ones and show them how you feel before it's too late.. You will never know when they will be gone from your embrace.. If you were given a time to bestow petals of everlasting compassion and love to your love ones, today is the day. Love them while they are still here...

 

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3 Things

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back

Time

Words

Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person

Pride
Anger

Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose

Hope 

Peace

Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable

Love 

Family and friends

kindness

Three things in life that are never certain

Fortune

Success

Dreams

Three things in life that make a person

Commitment

Sincerity

Hardwork

Three things in life that are truly constant

Father

Son and

Holy Spirit

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Comforting Thoughts

 Comforting Thoughts

Clinging to my comforts
While you strip them away
Saying my child you are ready today
As I cry because it hurts
You cry also because it hurts you too
You break me down more and more
Then filling me back up, you explain what for
You say to me my child I will make you new
Trust me this is all true
Your comforts are holding you back
I have so much in store for you
Let me be your comfort
For I am your heavenly Father
And I know what's good for you
Now release your false comforts
And take my hand
So I can start my plans

~ Patricia Sinnett ~

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IN ME

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GOD is my strength and my ultimate source of all.  He makes sure that I’m level headed at times when I might not be, He always pulls me closer to HIM whenever he feels that there's no one left to embrace me, He knows that i can do anything with the knowledge that HE gave me yet He'd still stay cause He knows that i am nothing on my own strength, and abide this all; He kept on keeping on no matter how many times I'd turn away.

 IN ME (casting crowns)

If you asked me to leap

Out of my boat on the crashing waves

If you ask me to go

Preach to a lost world that Jesus saves

I'll go, but I cannot go alone

'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own

But the power of Christ in me makes me strong

Makes me strong

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong

When I'm blind you shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that you want me

So I'll stand on Your Truth, and I'll fight with Your Strength

Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

If you ask me to run

And carry your light into foreign land

If you ask me to fight

Deliver your people from satan's hand

I'll go, but I cannot go alone

'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own

But the power of Christ in me makes me strong

Makes me strong

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong

When I'm blind you shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that You want me

So I'll stand on Your Truth, and I'll fight with Your Strength

Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

To reach out with Your hands

To learn through Your eyes

To love with the love of a savior

To feel with Your heart

and to think with Your mind

I'd give my last breath for Your glory

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong

When I'm blind you shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

when I'm weak, You make me strong

When I'm blind you shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that You want me

So I'll stand on Your Truth, and I'll fight with Your Strength

Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

The power of Christ in me

The power of Christ in me

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