For this special Christmastide edition we have intended to keep it simple and focus on the reason for the Season which begins on Christmas, not before. Now that Advent is behind us we can break out the white and gold, we can celebrate the birth of the Christ Child and adore Him as the shepherds did on that holy night and continuing while Mary and Joseph remained in Bethlehem. We can rejoice with the angels on high who bowed and adored, in numbers we cannot comprehend, the promised Messiah - none other than the Second Person of the Trinity Jesus Christ, Who became man for the First Person of the Trinity - the Father Almighty so loved us that He sent His only begotten Son. What love, what joy! We provide the meditation from John Gregory on the Joyful Mystery of the Navitity as well as the Haydock Commentaries he has provided for the major feasts during this time. For any articles and features from the Advent issue, please see either Features or Advent edition. We also provide the true meaning of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", so popular today in secular circles during this time of year. In truth it was actually a secret catechism based on the Truths of the Roman Catechism of Trent. This abbreviated code was sung by Roman Catholics after the Reformation in many countries such as England where they were not allowed to practice their faith. Thus, in similar fashion as the early Christians used the symbol of the fish, so also persecuted and deprived faithful Catholics sought to communicate with fellow Catholics to truly celebrate the Faith underground. Paramount was the Birth of Jesus Christ as the Savior in the Catholic tradition. By singing this song, they could communicate without fear of reprisal. Thus they formed this "carol" which represented "religious reality" in symbols. This also held true during the persecutions of the French Revolution. The "True Love" is God the Father. The Partridge in a pear tree is the Holy Trinity - in particular the Holy Ghost (the Dove) and Jesus Christ Who is known as the "Second Adam". We all know that the fall of man derived around an apple tree. A pear tree ties into this analogy and elevates the redemption. The fact there are twelve days corresponds with the twelve articles of the Apostles' Creed, a prayer that reinforces the Catholic Faith in every way. The number twelve is significant in that there are twelve months to each year and it was in the twelfth month Our Lord was born. Christ chose twelve disciples and God ordained that there would be twelve tribes of Israel. The Mother of God was foretold in Genesis as the woman who would crush the serpent's head and in Apocalypse 12: 1 as having a "crown of twelve stars," and finally, in pre-Vatican II days, it took twelve years to become a priest going through the minor seminary, novitiate and major seminary system. Just as the Apostles' Creed incorporates the doctrines of the Faith so also it and The Twelve Days of Christmas are prayers, and this Christmas there is no better gift to give than prayer to God and for our fellow man, whom, because of our love for God, we must love even if we don't like them. Thus, isn't it a time to call a truce to differences that the devil loves to foment? That is why this Christmastide we ask all to pray, to lay all that is on your heart in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and allow the Immaculate Heart of Mary to take all your cares and worries and place them on the altars of the true Masses said throughout the world that they may be washed in His Most Precious Blood at Holy Mass. May the peace of God and the inspiration and assurance of the Holy Ghost guide you to stay the course and, as St. Paul urges us all in 2 Thessalonians 2: 14, to "stand firm; and hold the traditions which you have learned." We pray that your prayers are in accord with God's ordaining Will and that you will abide by His permitting Will when prayers are seemingly not answered. Remember, every prayer is answered. Our prayer for all is that your faith will be strengthened, that you will hold to the truths you have learned, speaking out for Christ and His Church and gain the necessary graces to persevere in these tumultuous times when peace on earth seems so remote. Miracles can happen. Pray for many miracles. That is our Christmas wish for you this year. Because of the season, we have suspended all articles until we return on the Feast of the Holy Family in the new year with more articles and features. Until then, on behalf of our wonderful family of writers, Cyndi and I wish to extend our heartiest best wishes and prayers that our readers will have a blessed and grace-filled Christmastide. We provide for all a special animated card that you can see by clicking on the button to the left. It is our way of saying thank you. God bless and keep. We thank those who have helped us reach more souls with their contributions and for those who have not, we lovingly ask you to...
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