Florida again, and this time with my wife Bridget and our daughter, Dr. Gemma Farrell. I know,! I am really proud of her.

Well, this is our 3rd wee note of the twelve I hope to send afore Christmas. What gift can I give you today?

Well, regarding the Christian symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas :

1 'True' Love refers to God

2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, OR, THE CHRISTIAN VIRTUES

Well, why not.....though they could refer to a single horse, an open slay, and Santa as well, ...but no, for today, we shall stick with the virtues.

Faith in the word of God, in the promises of God in the very CHARACTER OF GOD, REVEALED IN THE SCRIPTURES, is the only thing that will keep us safe and sane. Such focused faith is our constant North star, without which, without steering toward it, we shall all be shipwrecked on the dark rocks of disbelief. No man can set out without faith.

Hope, is the fuel, the plod, the tiller holding strength that keeps us on course in all the settling fog. Hope is a fire that needs feeding. No man can live and go one without hope.

Love, keeps us warm at night, grants us peace in the storm, settledness in the touching night. Love lets us sleeps peacefully in its waiting for the rising sun, and no man can rest without love.

These three virtues are a Celtic Trinity knot, all intertwined and connected. Cut one out, and it all turns into a rats nest in our hands.

My prayer for thee, my prayer for me, is that all these three, remain, stick, root, bud, and flower together, cause I tell you, your 2019 boat is looking decidedly dodgy without them.

May I say to you today then...GO & GET GET KNOTTED.

Happy Christmas Robert.