|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Xmas [message #154237 is a reply to message #154234] |
Fri, 23 December 2011 22:39   |
Greg and April
Messages: 263
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
A bit of Christmas trivia....
The "-mas" part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for "Mass", while
the "X" comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the
Greek word ???st??, translated as "Christ".
Simply put Xmas, is simply and abreveation of Christmas, and the use of X as
an abreveation for Christ can traced back as far back as 1480's and the
abreveation Xp or XP, for Christ ( not a Microsoft product ), can be traced
back to the 1020's - indeed even XC ( the first and last letters of the
Greek word ) have been used in history.
I grant it is also a fact that while X or Xp stands for Christ, it has been
held since the 19th Cent, that it's use as Xmas shouldn't used in formal
letters / messages, thus one of the reasons it became popular to use in
commercialization and secularization of Christmas, thus earning a bad rap as
something that is anti-Christian.
Greg H.
"Your health is bound to be affected if, day after day, you say the opposite
of what you feel, if you grovel before what you dislike... Our nervous
system isn't just fiction, it's part of our physical body, and it can't be
forever violated with impunity."
Doctor Zhivago
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Xmas [message #154299 is a reply to message #154296] |
Sat, 24 December 2011 18:37 |
Dwayne
Messages: 418
Registered: October 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
here's more
The 12 days of Christmas mentioned in the carol by this name refer to the
12 days of feasting and celebration originally designated in the sixth
century as a time to commemorate the incarnation of Christ. The 12-day
period began on Dec. 25 and ended on Jan. 5.
The carol dates to the 16th century when Roman Catholics were experiencing
religious persecution in England. From 1558 until 1829 it was illegal for
them to practice or express their faith in any form in public.
In fact, to be caught in public with any material about the Christian faith
brought imprisonment and death. Out of this intense persecution, “The 12
Days of Christmas” emerged as a kind of coded message affirming belief in
Christ and in the Bible.
Each of the 12 days represents an important aspect of the Christian faith
that the disciple was to learn and adhere to. Here are meanings hidden in
this clever Christmas carol:
*First day:* The “partridge in a pear tree” represents the birth of Christ
on Christmas Day. Christ is portrayed as a partridge because of the
instinctual habit of mother partridges to pretend to be injured in order to
decoy predators away from their helpless young.
*Second day:* “Two turtle doves” refers to the Old Testament and the New
Testament.
*Third day:* “Three French hens” stands for the three virtues written about
in 1 Corinthians 13:13: faith, hope and love.
*Fourth day:* “Four calling birds” symbolizes the four Gospels: Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John.
*Fifth day:* “Five golden rings” points to the first five books of the Old
Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
*Sixth day:* “Six geese a-laying” stands for the six days of creation and
the affirmation that Almighty God is the creator and sustainer of all
things.
*Seventh day:* “Seven swans a-swimming” represents the seven gifts of the
Holy Spirit mentioned in Romans 11: prophecy, ministry, teaching,
exhortation, giving and generosity, leadership, and compassion and mercy.
*Eighth day:* “Eight maids a-milking” stands for the eight beatitudes Jesus
taught in the Sermon on the Mount (see Matt. 5), each beginning with
“Blessed are“: (1) 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; and (8) those who are persecuted
for righteousness’ sake.
*Ninth day:* “Nine ladies dancing” represents the nine fruits of the Holy
Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
*10th day:* “Ten lords a-leaping” symbolizes the Ten Commandments (see Ex.
20:1-17).
*11th day:* “Eleven pipers piping” refers to the 11 faithful disciples.
Because Judas Iscariot, the 12th disciple, betrayed Jesus he is not
included among the faithful.
*12th day:* “Twelve drummers drumming” emphasizes the 12 doctrinal points
of the Apostles’ Creed, which outlines the core beliefs of the Christian
faith.
--
Dwayne Jacobson
White Rock
77 Eleganza II
77 Kingsley
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Dwayne & Sharon Jacobson
White Rock, BC
77 Eleganza II
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
