A Festive Outing ...

[This morning, you received a telegram, giving you instructions to attend the annual Christmas parade (hosted by a neighboring town). You are to devote your particular attention to the Medieval Pipers. The meaning of this venture shall be explained upon your return home. Even though the eight maidens (and their bovines), nine ladies, seven svarns, six geese (and the newly hatched goslings!), four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and your little partridge have all become dear companions (in some way, shape, form, or another), you think that perhaps it would become slightly awkward to bring them all; thus, you have purposed to attend the event alone.

The eagerly anticipating crowd is noisily mulling around, endeavoring to acquire the street corners with the most advantageous views.

It begins.

You see the float with the live Nativity pass by; followed closely by walking candy-canes and gingerbread citizens, who are distributing ... candy-canes and gingerbread cookies (ironically). Ah, you can hear them now! The tune of Good King Wenceslas reaches your ears, and you watch the Pipers approach. You feel strangely beckoned to follow - their melody is both soft and strong (like cheese ;). Pushing your way through the crowds, you smile to yourself - reveling in your child-like pursuit of the Eleven Pipers Piping. Upon your arrival at home, you find another telegram awaiting you - the sequel to the one prior.]

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping.

"Eleven pipers represent the eleven apostles who were chosen by Jesus and remained faithful to him. (there were twelve before the betrayal and suicide of Judas.) Like children joyfully following a piper, these disciples followed Jesus. They also called others to follow him. they piped an everlasting tune of great joy - the salvation message of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

These are the twelve [Jesus] appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John...Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. ~ Mark 3:16-19."

I cannot fathom that tomorrow is Christmas Eve *shakes head in disbelief* ... Merry Christmas Eve Eve to all!

Ta-ta,

Phia