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The Twelve Days of Christmas

What are the Twelve Days of Christmas?

The twelve days of Christmas, or Christmastide, begin at sunset on Christmas Eve and end on the Eve of The Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, on January 5th.

What about the Christmas Carol of the same name?

As the legend goes, religious wars in sixteenth century England made it dangerous to be a Catholic. Many people practiced their faith in secret. Catholic families developed unique ways to secretly pass the faith onto their children, like “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The well-known song was used to teach children about the Church.

The First Day of Christmas: A Partridge in a Pear Tree
A partridge in a pear tree symbolizes Jesus Christ, with the partridge representing Christ’s willingness to sacrifice himself and the pear tree symbolizing the cross.

The Second Day of Christmas: Two Turtle Doves
Two turtle doves represents the first and second testaments of the Bible.

The Third Day of Christmas: Three French Hens
Three French hens are the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Charity that define this day

The Fourth Day of Christmas: Four Calling Birds
The original song lyrics were “four colly birds.” Colly meant black.
So, it could be thought of as four blackbirds or ravens. When a raven
caws, you hear it, just as the Gospel calls out for each of us to hear it.

The Fifth Day of Christmas: Five Gold Rings
The five golden rings are the most valuable of gifts in the original
song. This is also where the song lyrics take a dramatic pause. On a
religious level, the rings represent the first five books of the Old
Testament, or the Pentateuch. These books are the history and law
given by God to Moses.

The Sixth Day of Christmas: Six Geese A-Laying
The geese laying represents creating a new life as God created all
things.

The Seventh Day of Christmas: Seven Swans A-Swimming
Swans are graceful water creatures. The number seven represents the
seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are wisdom, understanding,
counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

The Eighth Day of Christmas: Eight Maids A-Milking
A milking cow is working. But the rewards of this work are sweet. Look to the beatitudes here as this is how God wants us to treat
others.

The Ninth Day of Christmas: Nine Ladies Dancing
Nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the spirit: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When your life displays the fruits of the spirit, you become a wonderful expression of action and grace to others.

The Tenth Day of Christmas: Ten Lords A-Leaping
These Lords refer to the English Parliament’s House of Lords. They
were lawmakers so this loosely symbolizes the Ten Commandments.
As for why the Lords are leaping, one interpretation suggests that
maybe a higher law given by God could make them leap?!

The Ten Commandments

  1. I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt have none other gods but me.
  2. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them.
  3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
  4. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
  5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
  6. Thou shalt do no murder.
  7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
  8. Thou shalt not steal.
  9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.
  10. Thou shalt not covet.

The Eleventh Day of Christmas: January 04
Eleven Pipers Piping
Pipers were known for music that relaxed people. They also led
people in marches during the Middle Ages. These 11 pipers represent
the apostles of Jesus (minus Judas) who led the way for Jesus’
teaching around the world.

The Twelfth Day of Christmas: January 05
Twelve Drummers Drumming
Drummers keep people in line and stepping in unison, all with the
same rhythm. The Apostles’ Creed acts as a rhythmic reminder of
beliefs. With 12 main points in the creed, it is a powerful statement of
faith.

The Apostles’ Creed

  1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
  2. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
  3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary:
  4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell.
  5. The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
  6. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
  7. I believe in the Holy Ghost,
  8. The holy Catholic Church;
  9. the Communion of Saints,
  10. the Forgiveness of sins,
  11. the Resurrection of the body,
  12. and the Life everlasting. Amen.
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Memorial Service for Linda Dowrey on Jan 6th

“May her soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon them.”

Memorial Service for Linda Dowrey
Saturday, January 6th at noon

A Memorial Service and for longtime parishioner, Linda Dowrey, will be held at the church on Saturday, January 6, 2024 beginning at noon. A catered luncheon reception will follow. Please RSVP to jenniferpempeit@gmail.com if you plan to attend the luncheon.

Directions to the church

Obituary for Linda Dowrey

Linda Caroline (McNutt) Dowrey, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2023, at the age of 85 with her loving family by her side. She was born in Beaver County Pennsylvania on May 31st, 1938, and was the daughter of the late Genevieve Maxine (Turney) McNutt and Robert McNutt. She graduated from Aliquippa High School in 1956, studied at Macmurry college for women in Jacksonville, Illinois in 1957 and 1958. She then attended the University of Houston and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 1961. She moved to New York City in 1962 to work for Eastern Airlines as a reservation agent, which was a job she loved. She later transferred to Houston Texas, and then finally to Seattle Washington. She was a free spirit with an appetite for adventure and she loved to travel both nationally and internationally. On January 5th, 1974 she married Carl G. Dowrey and moved to Snohomish, Washington. She also spent time working for Boeing and later, became a legal assistant to her husband. She was an avid reader and poetry lover, she loved watching birds and wildlife. She was fun to be with, and known for her big smile, sunny personality, and solid work ethic.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, aunt and grandmother.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by many friends and loved ones, including her sister Vivian Jimenez, her cousin Leslie Swasta, and her husband Gordon Dowrey. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Pempeit, son, Ian Dowrey, Son, James Dowrey; her four stepchildren who all loved her dearly: Gordon Dowrey, Richard Dowrey, Heather Rizzo, and Robin Dowrey; her nieces Julie Jimenez and Linda McInerney; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she loved and adored.

A Memorial Service will be held in her honor at St. Bartholemew’s Anglican Church in Woodinville, Washington, where she and her husband were members for many years. The service will start at noon on January 6, 2024. Lunch reception to follow from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Condolences and personal memories/ stories may be sent to the family at jenniferpempeit@gmail.com.

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December Shepherd’s Staff

The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is filled with news and photos from parishes around the country. Here are a few of the articles in this month’s issue:

  • Seminary opens registration for spring on-line classes
  • An Advent homily from Bishop Ashman
  • New Deanery established in Arizona
  • Intercessory prayer at St. George’s NV
  • Good News Clubs underway in Las Vegas elementary schools
  • Diocesan ACW plans for 2024 Synod

Download the December 2023 issue.

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Photos from Father Rick Gregory’s Ordination

By the grace of God, on 10 December, the Second Sunday in Advent, the Rev. Rick Gregory was ordained to the Priesthood of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Diocesan Bishop Donald Ashman was joined in the laying on of hands by Bishop Scott Mitchell (Suffragan).

A joyous and delicious luncheon reception followed the liturgy.

Congratulations, Father Gregory!

(Tap on any thumbnail to see the full size photo.)

[Thank you, Robin B., Nancy J., and Alexander C. for the lovely photos]

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Deacon Rick’s Ordination Date Set

God willing, on Sunday, December 10 at 10am, The Rt. Rev. Donald Ashman will ordain Rick Gregory to the Priesthood of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We invite all friends and members of St. Bartholomew’s to join us for the joyous occasion.

A luncheon reception will follow the liturgy. If you plan to join us for the meal—and we hope you will—please RSVP to Kellie Robertson as soon as possible. Her contact information is listed in the invitation below.

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The Advent Season

Advent is a season of waiting and expectation for Christmas – the birth of Christ, the Nativity of Our Lord. We prepare our homes and hearts for four weeks before Christmas. Advent is also the beginning of a new liturgical year – it concludes the long season of Trinity and leads us into the new church year with hope and patience in preparation for Christmas.

This season was likely first celebrated in the fifth century, originating from the tradition of fasting several times a week, beginning on St. Martin de Tours’ Feast Day (November 11) and concluding on Christmas Day.

In modern times, Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (the Feast Day of St. Andrew) and concludes on Christmas Eve. This year, Advent begins on December 3.

The Advent Wreath

The use of the wreath and candles during Advent is a longstanding Anglican tradition that was originally adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. The practice of lighting the candles each evening can be a helpful spiritual practice. This Liturgy for Lighting The Advent Wreath comes to us from the Province of Christ the King.

Sarum Use

St. Bartholomew’s uses blue vestments and altar paraments during Advent. This is a recovery of an ancient English tradition stemming from Salisbury Cathedral, and so it is referred to as sarum blue. (Sarum being the ancient Latin name for Salisbury.) While the deep blue
conveys a feeling of solemnity, because of its association with the Blessed Virgin Mary, it also conveys the Advent themes of hope and expectation.

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News from Medical Mission Trip

Mabel Ezeonwe extends her thanks to everyone who donated reading glasses and dental care supplies for her recent medical mission trip to Guatemala:

Mabel leading a training session for Mayan health workers.

“I sincerely appreciate all the donations and supplies from everyone. By God’s grace, we did wonderful work with the villages in the Rio Dulce area, in the NE part of Guatemala.

We worked primarily with the native Mayan communities, assessing and treating acute and chronic conditions in pop up clinics. We also spent a significant amount of our time and energy on teaching patients and families about practices to prevent diseases and illnesses such as malaria prevention, cervical cancer screening and prevention, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and hygiene practices. We also trained local health workers — health promoters and lay midwives, who are the critical points of health care contact for the villages on important care skills. For example, the lay midwives deliver most babies born through vaginal births in the villages, and we trained them on newborn resuscitation skills based on the World Health Organization’s Breathe Baby Breathe protocols.”

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Supplies needed for Medical Missionary Trip to Guatemala

New or used reading glasses and sunglasses
Dental products such as toothbrushes and toothpaste

Our dear sister, Mabel Ezeonwu, is collecting reading glasses (new or used) and dental products such as tooth brushes and toothpaste for a medical missionary trip to Guatemala in July. Sunglasses are also welcome. 

Mabel will be leading the trip with a team of doctors and nurses, where they set up clinics and provide health care services to the local indigenous Mayan communities. Fitting clients with reading glasses makes a difference in their lives and their functionality.

Collection baskets are located in the Narthex. Thank you for your generosity.

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Deacon Rick Goes to Synod

Rick visited the Seminary for Mass and the Open House

The Annual Synod took place on April 25-29, 2023 in Walnut Creek, CA. Here are Deacons Rick’s reflections on the experience and an update on his meeting with the Standing Committee.

Monday

4:15AM: Rise and Shine. Drove to work with my suitcase and backpack ready for the flight to Walnut Creek. Left my car at work and Robin H. took me to the airport.

My flight out of SeaTac was an hour late so I missed my connector in Portland. Once in Portland, I was quickly re-routed to a connector flight to Oakland. I had to run to the gate once I found out what gate it was!

On the connector flight I sat next to a gentleman who had many questions for me about the Bible and Our Lord. We also discussed homeopathic medicine and bees.

Once I made it to Oakland, I took the BART to the Embassy Suites in Walnut Creek. There were a couple of train changes. I got a little overwhelmed and worried that I was not going the correct route so I got off the train. I asked a guy on a skateboard how the system works. He said, Forget about the colors! (The directions are color- coded) Just follow the name of the stops. OK, now I get it. No further problems with the BART and my final stop let me off right across the street from the Embassy Suites.

Once I checked in, I took a walk around the block. Very nice evening and neighborhood. A Weiner Dog eyed me suspiciously from an apartment balcony.

Tuesday

All day at the Seminary. I got an early start and took the BART from Walnut Grove to Downtown Berkeley. Only one train change. Google told me the directions by foot to the Seminary. I stopped along the way at a Starbucks. It was a bigger store, but they had removed all the furniture in it. I got a coffee and resumed my walk to the Seminary. It was a beautiful morning.

There is an energy to a college town. Frat and Sorority houses. People going to school and work. A gentleman dressed in a suit and hat asked me if I had any liquid bread. I said I didn’t think so and went on my way. On my way to the Seminary, I admired many wonderful old buildings and churches. Great architecture. Walked by the famous Christian Science Church that is an historical landmark. Amazing.

At the Seminary I was welcomed by Christine Sunderland. She showed me around and I met some of the members of the Cal Berkeley Rowing team that live in the upper stories of one of the buildings of the Seminary.

Christine had set out photograph albums covering the history of the Seminary and the APCK. I could have stayed in that room all day. The history of our Province and the Seminary is a testament to the strength and grit our of Faith and Tradition. We also viewed one of the final addresses by Bishop Morse.

Once all the postulants, my brothers in Holy Orders, and other Synod attendees arrived, we had Morning Prayer and Mass. There was a wonderful organist and he shared with me that he is at the Seminary every Sunday and also travels to another one of our parishes after playing the Sunday Mass at the Seminary. It was a reminder to me that so many members of all our parishioners go above and beyond Sunday church attendance to truly do the Lord’s work that makes our parishes prosper.

St. Joseph of Arimathea Seminary (Berkeley, CA) entrance to the chapel.

After Morning Prayer and Mass, we had a wonderful presentation on the work of Bishop Morse and others who have given to us this legacy of faith and service. Never forget it.

Tuesday concluded with Evensong and Benediction. Plenty of incense and a profound time of prayer and worship.

Bishop Hansen, his wife, our Deaconess from St. Luke’s, Redding and I hopped into Bishop Hansen’s car and drove back to the Embassy Suites.

Wednesday

Morning Prayer and Mass. 11:45AM was my interview with the Standing Committee. This is serious stuff. I gave the best answers I could. The verdict: I will complete the one year Canonical Requirement for the Diaconate, then I must pass my Oral and Written Exams for the Priesthood before progress to Ordination. That evening was the opening social hour and I met many new people and loyal old friends as well. Everyone works hard to make this happen and our Bishops are an example of servant leadership and sacrificial duty. The social hour also provided an opportunity to bid on items donated by parishes and parishioners to raise funds.

Thursday and Friday

My first Clericus. A delicious Clergy and Wives dinner at a local restaurant. The Synod Business Meeting that included the conversation around combining (re-uniting) the Dioceses of the West and Southwest. Pontifical High Mass at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Concord. Again, I was blessed to meet so many hard- working and dedicated “laborers in vineyard”. Although our parishes are often far from one another, we are not alone and our APCK family is healthy, growing and diverse, united by our Faith and Tradition.

The Synod Banquet created a happy and relaxed time to enjoy good food and one another.

Saturday

The final Mass of the Synod was Saturday morning. I had already checked out of my hotel room so after Mass and good-byes, it was a return to the Oakland Airport via BART. I finally got home around 9:30PM that night.

The fragrance of the orange trees near the Seminary and the sunshine reminded me of my former life as a native Californian. To borrow from Cole Porter and with a little adjustment to his lyrics: “Let the life that once was fire, remain an ember.”