The Twelve Days of Christmas

The twelve days of Christmas is the time between Christmas Day and Old Christmas, or the Feast of the Epiphany. All of us have heard the silly carol written about it, and if you are like me, it seems to never end. I'm usually ready to move on at five golden rings. Last week, I heard a storyteller tell what the song is about, and I don't think it is so silly now. I don't know how much of this is truth, but it is entirely possible. It is a lovely tradition.
In the sixteenth century, Henry VIII got mad at the Pope because the Pope informed him that he had to go by the rules, even if he was king. Henry VIII declared himself the head of the church of England, and publicly beheaded Sir Thomas More when he wouldn't bow down to him. It was a crime to be a Catholic, so this song was written to teach children about their beliefs without danger of persecution.

Here is the meaning the storyteller assigned to each of the verses.

My True Love refers to God.
Twelve Lords a leaping are the twelve basic beliefs in the Apostles Creed.
Eleven pipers piping are the eleven Apostles (after the betrayal of Judas).
Ten ladies dancing are the Ten Commandments.
Nine drummers drumming represented nine choirs of angels
Eight maids a milking are for the beatitudes. At this time, milk maids were the lowest on the social scale, and it is thought this represented humility as taught in the beatitudes.
Seven swans a swimming are the Seven Sacraments.
Six geese a laying are the six days of creation or the Six commandments of the Church.
Five golden rings are for the Torah, the first five books in the Old Testament.
Four calling birds are the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Three French hens are the three persons of the Trinity or the three wise men.
Two turtledoves represents the two natures in Jesus: human and divine, or the two books of the Bible.
The partridge is, of course, Jesus. The pear tree is the Cross.

If you are offended because Jesus is compared to a bird, check out
Luke 13:34.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

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Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

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