Following Santa's Trip to RI

Posted in: NAP- Neighborhood Alliance of Pawtucket
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Where is Santa? Are you following him this year? By IPhone or computer, when will he arrive?

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  • nap
  • Respected Neighbor
  • Pawtucket, RI
  • 3152 Posts
  • Respect-O-Meter: Respected Neighbor


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 Pra?a do Com?rcio 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?

This       week, I found out.

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.'

Merry       Christmas Everyone

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.

Rest easy, sleep       well.

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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