What's
really interesting at the end is the real meaning of the 12 days of Christmas -
I didn't know that...
Make sure
you go all the way to the end of the pictures and information
about Arlington Cemetery in the winter, before Christmas is
beautiful!
Subject:
Christmas Trees 'Round the World
The
Capitol Christmas tree in Washington , D.C.
Decorated with 3,000 ornaments
that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the
'Pathway of Peace' represent
the 50 U.S.
states.
The
world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino
outside of Gubbio, in Italy 's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights
connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient
city
A
Christmas tree befitting Tokyo 's nighttime neon display is projected onto the
exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel
Akasaka.
Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town
Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas
market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the
Southern Czech
Republic.
Venice 's
Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to
the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone
Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday
season.
Moscow
celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For
weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father
Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper
deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a
fir.
The
largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the
Pra-a do Com-rcio in Lisbon , Portugal .
Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of
the
city during the holiday season.
'Oh
Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a
tiny chapel in Germany 's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous
sight.
Ooh la la
Galeries Lafayette! In Paris , even the Christmas trees are chic. With its
monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no
surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre
and the Eiffel Tower
In
addition to the Vatican 's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts
a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the
obelisk.
The
Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a
party. Madrid 's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers.
On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest
lottery.
A token of
gratitude for Britain 's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London
's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since
1947.
Drink a
glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer, Frankfurt 's city hall
since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas
past.
Against a
backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the
night
(location unknown)
There is
one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping
lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come
out of the pear tree
have to do with
Christmas?
This week,
I found out.
From 1558
until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their
faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for
young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden
meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a
code word for a religious reality which the children could
remember.
-The
partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two
turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three
French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-
-The four
calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke &
John.
-The five
golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old
Testament.
-The six
geese a-laying stood for the six days of
creation.
-Seven
swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy,
Serving, Teaching,Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and
Mercy.
-The eight
maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine
ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness,Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self
Control.
-The ten
lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The
eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful
disciples.
-The
twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles'
Creed.
CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON
CEMETERY
I wonder
why the press hasn't enlightened the public about
it??
Arlington National Cemetery
Rest easy,
sleep well my brothers.
Know the
line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy,
sleep well.
Others
have taken up where you fell, the line has
held.
Peace,
peace, and farewell...
Readers
may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the
Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not
only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done
this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids
combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even
more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one of the poorest parts of
the state.
Please
share this. Learning about a good person, who does something
kind in our world is always nice to hear about. ~
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'
Merry Christmas Everyone
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