On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: eight maid-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!

Milkmaids, as humble servants, are supposed to represent the Beatitudes listed in Matthew.

To celebrate, they suggest having some favorite dairy treats like ice cream or hot chocolate. I didn’t have either of these on hand, and as the weather outside was “frightful” as the song goes, I celebrated with a glass or two of milk, which I quite enjoyed. 🙂 I snuggled into my futon and read books and watched movies all day. A peaceful and relaxing start to the new year; what more could I ask for? 🙂

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!

Graceful swans symbolize the seven gifts of grace of the Holy Spirit, as listed in the twelfth book of Romans.

I did make the little swan container for my Mom for Christmas. This is the one suggested decoration that I actually followed through with, as the others were either complex or required that I buy stuff from a craft store. The suggested activity for today is to go swimming. Really? It’s a Christmas book published in the northern hemisphere and they suggest swimming? I don’t know that I’ll make it. Especially, as today’s New Year’s Eve, and the holiday tomorrow.

This is a swan’s egg. I can probably make a swan’s egg out of all of the snow we are going to be getting. Hopefully, this is an acceptable substitute! 🙂

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: six geese-a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!

Since eggs symbolize new life, the geese stand for the six days of creation described in Genesis.

They suggest that we decorate eggs with nontoxic markers or crayons. I don’t think I’ll celebrate in quite this way, as I associate all egg decoration with Easter, but I did have eggs for breakfast this morning. Does that count?

And here’s a picture of some decorated eggs:

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!

These are said to represent the first five books of the Old Testament, often referred to as the Pentateuch.

Today’s suggested activity is for your family to sit down and write the following on decorative strips of paper:

1. Their favorite thing that happened this Christmas season.
2. Their favorite memory of last Christmas.
3. Their favorite Christmas ever.
4. Their funniest Christmas memory.
5. One thing they hope to accomplish before next Christmas.

Then, staple the paper strips into a chain and use it as decoration in your home.

For me, as I do not live with anyone why don’t we play this online? Respond to one or more of the above either in comments, or on my G+ or FB accounts.

1. I loved going to Mass with my brother, goddaughter, and friends.
2. It was cute watching the kids from OLGC performing a Christmas play. There was a real baby playing the baby Jesus and the kids playing Joseph and Mary were so cute and loving.

3. I don’t remember which Christmas it was, but some of my favorites were when I was a kid and my cousin, Anna, and I got to pass out the presents to everyone and afterward everyone would have a big “snowball fight” using gift wrap.
4. I liked watching my cousins’ kids, Petros and Kenzie, attacking everyone in the living room with a Stomp Rocket.
5. I would like to come up with a good plan for next Advent.