The Conclusion of the Matter ...

{after all of the festivities this weekend, lack of sleep, etc. my creativity is at an ebb ... howevah, for your sake, I shall endeavor to muster what little remains. =}

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming.

Just as drummers beat out a loud, steady rhythm for marchers to follow, so the Apostle's Creed sets forth the beliefs of those who call themselves Christians. The twelve drummers represent the twelve vital Christian beliefs as stated in the Apostle's Creed.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. He shall return to judge both the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. "

[You can't convince yourself. Have the past twelve days, honestly been nothing more than -

a dream?

That wee sister of yours has just cheerfully jumped on you (dumbfounded that you could still be sleeping at 6:00 a.m., Christmas morning!), until at last she had the satisfaction of seeing your eyes reluctantly open. She extricates you from your awfully snug kingdom of blankets, and leads you (perhaps drags you is more befitting) out to the living room, so that you too can share in the excitement. Your senses still a bit foggy, you humor her by counting the number of packages bearing her name, and help her discreetly shake/feel and otherwise try to discern their contents. Leaving her contentedly counting, you make your way to the study. Almost hesitantly, you open the door. Not a feather to be seen. You look out the window - confirming your hunch, there is nary a barn in view.

As wrapping paper is joyously flying around the room, you sit and ponder quietly to yourself, sipping tea from your favorite mug. Interrupting your reveries, you hear the delighted laugh of your merry sister, who has just received an ornament of a dancing ballerina. She immediately declares that it has reminded her of a song, and commences with (lisp and all ;), "On the firtht day of Chrithtmath, my true love gave to me ... " A smile plays at the corners of your mouth. You shall never think of that song in the same manner again - you join in with the rest, thanking your True Love for sending His Son.

For that is the greatest gift of Christmas.]

It is my sincere desire that you have enjoyed and learned something new from these posts ... my apologies that they were not always consistent; nor I daresay, what you were at times anticipating . =/ All of your kind words of encouragement and comments have been a treasured gift. Readers are what make a blog possible - so, thank you muchly!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Ta-ta,

Phia