Monday, February 6, 2012

Christmas Carol - The Twelve Days of Christmas

Christmas Carol - The Twelve Days of Christmas-Christmas

Christmas symbolizes many things and it is not just confine to Christmas carol or trees, which is obvious in many Christmas hymns. It is common to hear separate songs every holiday but one favorite hymn that truly stands out and it is none other than the Twelve Days of Christmas. If you are wondering about the meaning of this Christmas carol, great read on.

Christmas

If you are customary with the English history, you know that from 1558 to 1829 practicing Catholicism is a crime in England. Catholics in the old days in England are banned from practicing their religion and refrain from using whatever that symbolizes their faith. No religious worshipping allowed whatsoever and so all has to be done in quiet and in private.

In fact, population are not allowed to procure and declaring that you are a catholic is dangerous as well. This posed a problem for many people, as they have no way to hand down their tradition and beliefs to the next generation, without the authorities getting a wind of it. Since practicing their religion is a crime that is punishable by death, it is foremost that they worship in secret.

In order to keep the tradition alive, a Christmas carol that symbolizes the spirit of Christmas was created and this is where the apparently safe "The Twelve Days of Christmas" came in and come to be a guide for many Catholics. The meaning of each verse in the hymn is a direct link to the tradition of Catholicism.

The following are verses in the favorite Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and what it meant at that time:

1st verse - "True Love" it naturally referred to God

2nd verse - "2 Turtle Doves" it refers to the old and new testaments of the bible.

3rd verse - "3 French Hens" - It symbolizes the religious confidence and stands for faith, charity and hope.

4th verse - "4 Calling Birds" The 4 birds refer to the 4 gospels or evangelists mentioned in the bible.

5fth verse - "5 Golden Rings" is the first 5 old testament.

6th verse - "6 Geese-a-laying" it refers to the 6 days of creation of the world.

7th verse - "7 Swans-a-swimming" is referring to the seven sacraments

8th verse - "8 Maids-a-milking" refers to the 8 beatitudes

9th verse - "9 Ladies dancing" is the 9 fruits determined as the holy spirit

10th verse - "10 Lords-a-Leaping" is unquestionably the 10 commandments

11th verse - "11 Pipers piping" is the 11 apostles just to Jesus Christ

12 verse - "12 Drummers drumming" is the Apostle's Creed 12 points

Although for many years, the custom of Catholicism is forbidden there are still ways to pass the tradition and that is by singing Christmas carols. So, when you are singing the favorite hymn or hear it playing, remember the meaning to appreciate the attempt of the population during those dark times in England.

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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Recipe for Traditional Swedish Christmas Cookies or Pepparkakor

Recipe for Traditional Swedish Christmas Cookies or Pepparkakor-Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies

In any traditional Swedish home, the smell of these home baked cookies will be found wafting throughout the home at Christmas time. The Swedes really love cooking for the holiday season and the Christmas Eve celebration is the highlight of the year.

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies

Don't be worried by the literal translation of Pepparkakor, which means pepper cookies, it may have been that in olden times there was a little pepper in the recipe, but now there's just a tasty mix of spices.

Christmas Spice Cookies or Pepparkakor

Makes about 2 dozen cookies

8 ounces (2 sticks) butter 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon light corn syrup 1/4 cup orange juice 2 teaspoons orange zest 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground cloves

1. Preheat oven to 400˚ F.

2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Stir in egg, corn syrup, orange juice, and orange zest.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Stir flour mixture into the creamed butter until combined.

4. Roll dough out to 1/8 inch and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the oven. Cool cookies on wire racks.

These are a wonderful cookie recipe for children to make and taste even better when cut out with all manner of shape of cookie cutters!

Enjoy making and eating this traditional Swedish cookie recipe.

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