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The Canadian Champion, Fniday, December 7, 2001-21 WHTSWTHTETEVE DAYS 0F CHRISTMAS?!! T heT I t enH l o r d a - e a i g e e h Over the holiday season, many voices loudly proclaim their message of Christmas. Some urge us to make it the best Christmas ever by taking advantage of special discounts. Others remind us to make sure that each of the kids have fiad a, chance to sit on Santa's knee. Stili others encourage us to make our list and check it twice to ensure that we don't forget that special someone. Sadly, somewhere in the midst of our world's many Christmas messages, we have lost its real meaning - that special someone bas been forgotten. Christmas is all about the birth of Christ - the incarnation of God. Thankfully, this season's songs still announce the truth. Choirs still herald: Joy to the world, the Lord is corne! Carollers stili cheer: Corne and worship! Corne and worship! Worship Christ the newborn King! And children still sing: A partridge 4eBANAI Informai Discussions every Wednesday evening 7he VI" uofLoycily For Inf coul: 905-878-0011 Redemption "Fix your gaze upon Hlm Who is the Temple of God amongst men. He, in frufh hafh offered up His lite as a ransom for the redemption or the world. " from Baha'i Soripture 1-800-433-3284 www.bahai.org 6620re MruD L Natll RogTOe Worily p1 km a Sout iof er kemule Youth A my. ore d Clarkth 9 arn - Eorfy Woship Serier 9:30 amn - Sundoy Schooi for off oges 10.45 amn - Second Worship Service Pester Dant Rogge's New Sermon Serins 6:30 pm - Youlh Choir Preseniation GOD 0F WONDERS A NGEL S A WA RE Free AdmlalonofferAn mufti be rmcred in a pear tree .what?!? Here is one Christmas Carol that bas often confused even the most ardent believer. What in the world do Leaping lords, French hens, Swimming swans, and a Partridge who won't corne out of a pear tree have to do with Christmas?!! How did this strange song become a Christmas carol? A friend of mine, John Hrycko, helped cure my curiosity by sharing this trivial historical tidbit with me. 1 found it quitle interesting and enlightening. Apparently, from 1558 until 1829, Christians in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote the Christmas carol as a catechism song for young believers. It bas two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each 4~Milton Bapfisi Church 900 Nipissing Rd. ~econd Sunday of Advent 9:45 amn Sunday School il arn Worship Service Titie: "Fear flot, is Christmas" Join ce ai 7:OOpm for an evening of Christmas Prelme with A Cappella Shoieceme. E Rev. Greg Maaulay - S.A., M.Div. MILTON SEVENTH-DAY AbVNW ÀOÇO^ CHURCH Invites yoa to out weekly Sabbathservices at Hagli Foater Hall, 43 Btrewn St Milton Sai. 9:30 a. m. - Sabbath School Sat. 11:00 arn.- Divine Service FREE BIBLE SCHOOL Discover the amnazing Bible answers ro lifes perplexing qausions, and the secret tu a happy lI fe For F-REE BIBLE LESSONS, write: RL'. Box 23012, 559 Ontario St., Milton, Ont., LOT '5B4. On the INTERNET, http://wsnwvop.com andi www.amazingfàcts.org/bibleschoo)l/schoolmain.asp PASTOR: Carton O. Rouiston, 416-821-4610 Grace Anglican Church 317 Main St. E., Milton the Church on the Hill Tel. 878-2411 Fax 878-3005 www.welcome.to/Grace.Milton Rev. Dr. Mark McDermott SUNDAY SERVICES 8:00 arn - Holy Communion 10:0)0 amn - Sung Eucharist Church School & Coffee Hlotr THURSDAY 10):00 amn Joly Communion i r~ Wheelchar Access 1hrough Parlang Lot L'ours I S The Salvation Amy Church Milton 11:00 arn - Morning Worship il1:00 arn Sunday School 100 Niplmmlng Road, Unit 3 Pastor Major Sumanne Flter For more Information about our services, and other programmlng pi«am cil 876-2420 ______________ _____________ ______________ ___________I SOUTHSIDE COMMNiY CHUCH We weicomeYOu to... 7 MILTON GOSPEL HALL dfThie Christian & Missionary Alliance ST. PAUL'S30OnaiStN.e8-87 (formerly knewnas Milton Alliance Church) UNITED CHURCH36OnaoStN.e8-83 2850 DERRY BD. 123 Main St. E., Milton M/ 10:00 arn. -The Lord's Supper *Phone 878-5664 - Fax 878-6676 ADVENT Il 11:45 arn. - Sunday School Senior Pastor: Greg McCombs 6:30 p.m. - Gospel Service Pastor of Youth Ministries: jack Ninaber Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.Weedy7:0pm Church Schoof & Nursery Praer nda Bible Sfdy 10:00 A.M. SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE Pae n il td &"ADvENTUEELAND" for kfids 3 - Gr. 6 (Nursery rare provided up to age 2) 6:30 part. CGIT Vesper Service Looking unto Jesus the author "The Point" 7:OOpm Rev. John B1eIhm & Rev. Gerr Hofslelter adfnse forfih Formor m ~ncr eglarweedyChrch office: (905) 878-8895 Hebrews 12.2 ministries, please rai the church office. tÀ. wwwstpaulsmilton.org ___________________ 1 _t LR-CiRrJ -F-nEJ IU F a element in the carol bas a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. The partridge in the 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 and John. The five golden rings recalled the first five books of the Old Testament often referred to as the Torah, the Law or the Pentateuch. 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. 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. Wow! Profound truth is found hidden behind the shroud of symbolism. Many hear the message of The Twelve Days qf' Christmnas yet miss the real meaning. How true of our society - beautifully adorned Christmas trees can be seen nearly everywhere we go, Santa Claus is in every maîl, homes are decorated with bright lights and orniaments, stores are filled with frantic shoppers seeking special gifts - yet many have forgotten the genuine origin of our festive celebration. Make it a December to Remember! Rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Allow one of our local churches lîsted below to help you find more meaning in the Christmas message. Determine to visit a local congregation this week! Submitted by Reverend Dan Rogge, Senior Pastor of New Life Church, Milton