What's really interesting at the end is the
real meaning of the 12 days of Christmas - I didn't know
that...
Christmas Trees From Around The
World
Seasons greetings to
all!
Make sure you go all the way to the bottom
of the e-mail, the picture 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., is 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 Praça do Comércio 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?
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.
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.'
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.
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 with everyone on your
address list. You hear too much about the bad things people do.
Everyone should hear about this.
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