HAPPY NEW YEAR & Happy Eighth Day of CHRISTMAS.

January 1, 2017 by Be Holy

HAPPY NEW YEAR & happy eighth day of CHRISTMAS.
75 years and so much more to learn! I just learned that the “eight maids a-milking” stand for the eight Beatitudes.
“:On the Eighth Day of Christmas my True Love gave to me…..Eight maids a-milking.

From a literal sense milk was a luxury in the 15th and 16th century because with no refrigeration it would spoil quickly.

So milk, in and of itself, was a generous gift.

The eight maids a-milking represent the Eight Beatitudes, a wonderful and generous gift to Christians everywhere.

Jesus promises us happiness. In fact the word “blessed” means “happy.” The Beatitudes are at the core of Christ’s teaching.

They fulfill the promise made to the Jewish people by pointing beyond earthly happiness to the eternal happiness of heaven.

The reward promised in each of the Beatitudes is primarily heaven.
* Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

* Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

* Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

* Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

* Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

* Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

* Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

* Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
We love the Beatitudes so the Eighth Day has so much to offer us all.

Merry Eighth Day of Christmas!”
Love you, All!

Via divineoffice.org

Always

December 31, 2016 by Be Holy

Always

I have never been alone.
As conscious of You,
As conscious of self.

Always, Your Presence,
Always, the sense of You, near,
Always, You, here .

You, listening,
You, watching,
You, waiting.

Patience,
Provision,
Plenty.

Another year,
Another now,
A promised tomorrow.

A Hand to hold,
A beating Heart,
Always, You, Loving.

lionessblog.com
Jo

Ring Out, Wild Bells by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

December 31, 2016 by Be Holy

Alfred Lord Tennyson/Wikipedia

Alfred, Lord Tennyson got it right! Let hope rise up anew and hearts rekindle the noble and true, for the New Year is another chance to be our best self.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.