My True Love Gave to me a…

Eleven Pipers Piping:
“Eleven Pipers Piping” = The Eleven Faithful Apostles who are Simon, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas bar James.

Twelve Drummers Drumming:
“Twelve Drummers Drumming” = The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed.

1. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord,
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 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;
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
7. From there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
10. The forgiveness of sins,
11. The resurrection of the body,
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

*Note: I wanted to take the time to call out that there are key differences in the Apostles’ Creed depending on your religious beliefs. I do, however encourage everyone to dig a bit deeper into your own religious views so you can have a better understanding on where you and your religion stand on the Apostles’ Creed.

Happy Holiday Season to everyone, I hope it was a festive time of year for all.

My True Love Gave to me a…

Nine Ladies Dancing:
“Nine Ladies Dancing” = The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  generosity, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control.

Ten Lords A-leaping:
“Ten Lords A-leaping”= The Ten commandments.

- – - – - – - – -

Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3).
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (Exodus 20:4).
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain (Exodus 20:7).
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8).
Honour thy father and thy mother (Exodus 20:12).
Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13).
Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14).
Thou shalt not steal (Exodus 20:15).
Thou shalt not bear false witness (Exodus 20:16).
Thou shalt not covet (Exodus 20:17).

My True Love Gave to me a…

Seven Swans A-swimming:
“Seven Swans A-swimming” = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which are prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion.

Eight Maids A-milking:
“Eight Maids A-milking”= Is referencing the eight Beatitudes which are blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst and for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

My True Love Gave to me a…

Five Gold Rings:
“Five Gold Rings” = The first Five Books of the Old Testament which are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Six Geese A-laying:
“Six Geese A-Laying” = The six days of creating our world.

My True Love Gave to me a…

Three French Hens:
“The Three French Hens”= The three theological virtues which are Faith, Hope, and Love.

Four Calling Birds:
“Four Calling Birds”=  The Four Gospels which are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

My True Love Gave to me a…

Partridge in a Pear Tree:
“The Partridge in a Pear Tree” = Jesus Christ, Son of God. We celebrate his Birthday on December 25, which is the First Day of Christmas. Christ is presented as a symbol of a mother partridge that fakes sudden injuries to deter predators from her nest. This mirrors Christ’s sadness over Jerusalem, “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . .” (Luke 13:34)

Two Turtle Doves:
“Two Turtle Doves” = The Old & New Testaments. The Old Testament tells us the story of God’s chosen people, the sending of the prophet Moses and of course the Ten Commandments. The New Testament tells us of Jesus’ birth, life, teachings, death and resurrection. As well as the early growth of the Christian Church and the prediction of the second coming.

I approached this Christmas Season with the main goal of starting my very own family traditions. I searched my childhood memories for anything and everything that I loved and held close to my heart that I wanted to bring into my own home. Of course many things come to mind, and my extensive planning began. I decided that in addition to reading the traditional ”Christmas Story” from Luke Chapter 2, I wanted to also read something else that would keep the Christmas Season in context. My mother recommended “The Light of Thy Childhood Again”, by Boyd K. Packer. I don’t think she could have recommended a better read for this time of year. Boyd K.Packer speaks of how…” The Christmas Season, now so commercialized, has trespassed upon this holy day.” That “… in exchange for giving up the childish illusion of Christmas, you could look forward to the greatest of all discovers. No matter what your age, you can find and can keep that “little-kid” feeling about Christmas.”

My traditions, admittedly, had become commercialized. I needed to not look back into my own childhood delights, but rather look forward towards Christ and truly understanding what this “Holy Day” meant to me and my family. The world shines a bit brighter during this Christmastime and as Boyd. K Packer says, “We can be changed by it.”

Pick up your very own copy at your local Deseret Book or Order your Copy Online.

It’s that time of year when everything is just better. The food taste better, the decorations are better.. even the horrid traffic seems to be the least bit tolerable. But most importantly it is the time of year that my family and I celebrate the birth of our Savior.

I hope to fill my month with Christmas Cheer, Festive Treats and enjoying good family company at The Festival of Trees, Dickens Christmas Festival, and of course Temple Square. We plan on starting some new traditions with our first and hopefully not last, Yule Log; cuddling up by the fireplace to read Boyd K. Packer, “The Light of Thy Childhood Again”, and rounding out with a true celebration of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.

My goal this year even amongst all the celebrating and self indulgences, is that I do take the time to go beyond myself and think of someone else in a selfless act of service. I challenge each one of you to do the same. However large or small the act is, just make the time for someone else this Holiday Season.

The story of our lives are made up of beginnings and endings. They are things we’ve started, things we stopped, countless successes and failures that all make us who we are each and everyday. I started Merry Poet in theory a very long time ago, but today I move from theory to practice. I introduce to not only you, but myself Merry Poet, A hands-on design studio that creates clean, simple and meaningful designs. I have worked very long and hard for the opportunity to give her wings to fly. I do not take this chance lightly and I hope that I can live up to everything she hopes I can be. Passengers, please fasten you seat belts… we are about to take a ride of a lifetime.