1st day of Christmas

do you know the story behind this 'funny' song that usually has us all tongue tied before we get to the end?  i can't keep my drummers straight, my maid a'milking or my lords a'leaping.... much less remember where i put my five golden rings!   however, i thought it might be fun to explore some of the meanings tucked within these lyrics as well as do some hunting for 12 days of knitting patterns that would make for some fun stocking stuffers or extra 'prizes' to share with family and friends.

the premise behind the Twelve Days of Christmas is that it was originally designed as an easy way for young Christians to remember the tenets of their faith.  At a time when things couldn't be written down for fear of punishment, these verses helped to solidify each element and belief that their young hearts were surrendering to.  Sources actually swing both ways as the true validity of this option - catecism versus urban myth, but none-the-less, if you think of  the songs "gifts" as representing specific foundations that a Christian believes in and with each verse a new layer of 'learning' is tucked within their hearts to draw strength and encouragement, you may sing this song during the season with a new appreciation and perspective.

On the 1st day of Christmas my True Love gave to me

a Partridge in a Pear Tree. 

 Did you know that the Partridge was a picture of Christ?  He truly is THE gift of Christmas and without Him there would be no celebration of any other day. Consider that 'my True Love' is a picture of our Heavenly Father who is showering gifts of on us as believers because of His great love for us.

And as you ponder today on His love and the true significance of His gift why not invite a friend over for coffee and share this pattern for a cute little coffee cozy with her. What better way to start the Christmas season than to share the very premise of your faith .... the tiny gift of swaddling clothes, wrapped and placed in a manger so that our sins would be forgiven and our eternity redeemed to be spent with Him.  Just as the promise of Matt 1:21 states:  "She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you [Joseph] are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

If you have an Iced Coffee/Tea drinking friend, why not consider using your cotton to make a Cup Cozy that would be absorbant and save their workspace from all those annoying water rings?  or . . .  Ever wanted to try your hand at felting but were to nervous to venture into "that" world?  What about all those little balls of wool  left overs that you just can't bear to part with because you 'just might need a little piece' for something?  Well - - here's what you've been saving and stashing for . . . why not consider making several of these, slipping them over a cup and including a gift card to their favorite coffee shop? These would make great teacher gifts ..... special Thank-You's to those friends that need a little "prize" in their day .... and a great way to sit and share the Gift of Christmas with someone who's heart means the world to you ... and to HIM!    

Well . . . we're on our way to learning an old song, in a new way, and sharing with family and friends this season the precious new and true meaning of Christmas ... When Love First Cried .....