The Twelve Days of Christmas
December 2019
During
December,
St
Blasius
Church
was
filled
with
many
precious
gifts…
the
selection
of
gifts
given
by “my truelove” in the traditional Christmas Carol “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Each
gift
had
been
made
or
sponsored
by
a
range
of
individuals
and
community
groups.
We
are
very
grateful
to
everyone
who
contributed,
including:
Shanklin
Youth
and
Community
Centre
50+
Group,
the
children
of
St
Blasius
C
of
E
Academy,
residents
from
Shanklin
Abbeyfield,
St
Blasius
Mothers’
Union,
St
Blasius
Mission
Group,
St
Blasius
and
St
John’s
Home
Group,
Pam
Dana,
Sherie
Peach
of
“Mon
Cherie,”
William
Hall
Funeral
Directors,
Glory
Art
Glass
of
Sandown,
and
Shanklin
Jewellers.
Everyone
who
came,
enjoyed
seeing
the
beautiful
displays
and
was
intrigued
to
discover
the
“secret”
meaning
of
each
of
the
gifts.
Although
no-one
knows
the
precise
origin
of
the
carol,
it
is
widely
believed
that
it
was
written
sometime
between
1558
and
1829
as
a
catechism
song
for
young
Catholics.
During
that
time
in
England,
Catholics
were
not
permitted
to
practise
their
faith
openly.
Hence the song was devised to have a hidden meaning known only to Church members.
The “True Love” one hears in the song is Jesus Christ - as truly, Love was born on Christmas Day.
3 French Hens
The virtues of Faith, Hope,
and Love, from 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.
4 Calling Birds
The four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John.
The
highlight
of
the
event
came
on
the
Saturday
evening,
when
around
30
students
from
the
Simon
Langton
Grammar
School
for
Boys
Chamber
Choir,
provided
a
wonderful
evening
of
seasonal
music,
including
Vivaldi's
Gloria.
Their
director,
Emily
Renshaw-Kidd
grew
up
on
the
Island
and
developed
her
love
of
music
here.
We
were
very
grateful
to
her
for
including
St
Blasius
Church
in
the
Choir
Tour again this year.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported our 12 Days of Christmas exhibition in any way.
Jonathan Hall