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3rd Day of Christmas

The 3rd day of Christmas celebrates the Feast of St. John the Apostle on December 27th.  John was born in Bethsaida and was a fisherman.  He is considered to be the Patron Saint of Charity.

3rd Day of Christmas at McMullen House Bed & Breakfast

Picture of the 3rd Day of Christmas 2019
   Three French Hens (Silver ornaments)

The 3rd day of Christmas is celebrated at McMullen House with a display of three French hens in a tree in the Library.  The three hens represent the three virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity.

History of St. John the Apostle

Picture of St. John the Evangelist by Joan de Joanes (1507-1579)
St. John the Evangelist by Joan de Joanes (1507-1579), Public Domain

St. John the Apostle is known by many names including: John the Evangelist, John of Patmos, John the Elder, the Beloved Disciple.  His older brother was St. James the Great.  John was the youngest apostle at the time of Jesus and is believed to be the longest living apostle.1  He is the author of the Book of John and one of the Epistles of John and maybe the author of two more Epistles and the Book of Revelation, however, it is unknown if the authors were another John.  In later life, the Emperor Domitian, exiled John to the island of Patmos.3

Feast of St. John the Apostle2

During the feast it is a tradition to drink blessed wine, called St. John’s wine.3.  This tradition goes back to one of the attempts to kill John with poisoned wine.  John blessed the wine before drinking it and survived.

References

1: Catholic.org Article on Saints

2: Fisheaters Article

3: Catholicculture.org Article

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