Born on this day 1907 in Neath

Ray Milland - Academy Award-winning actor and director.  His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985 and at one time, he was Paramount Pictures highest paid actor, co-starring alongside many of the most popular actresses of the time. 

Milland was a member of the Household Cavalry of the British Army, before taking up acting.  He initially took parts as an extra in many British productions before starring in "The Flying Scotsman", which resulted in him getting a contract with MGM

He then moved to the United States where he signed for Paramount and Universal, appearing in  "Three Smart Girls" and  "The Jungle Princess" with Dorothy Lamour, which made him an international star.  After a further 20 years of acting success, he moved into directing.  

Born on this day 1987 in Carmarthen.

Ken Owens - Wales rugby international, who was part of the Grand Slam winning side in 2012.  Owen currently plays as hooker for the Scarlets regional side.  

Born on this day 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa

JRR ( John Ronald Reuel) Tolkien, the author of  The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. 

Tolkien, whose fiction is influenced by Wales, is known to have loved the Welsh landscape and its language.  For example, the Elvish language, Sindarin, sounds very much like Welsh and many of his place names have similar Welsh equivalents e.g. Crick Hollow (Crickhowell)

Traditionally in the Western Church, the First Day of Christmas is Christmas Day, therefore, 3nd January is the Tenth Day of Christmas. 

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - Ten Lords a Leaping

It is thought that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was a song used by Catholics, who were wary of showing their faith openly.  According to the theory, the subject of each verse represents a hidden religious meaning.

The Ten Lords a Leaping, represents The Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments, along with the Creed and the Lord's Prayer appear in the first book to be published in the Welsh language "Yn Y Lhyvr Hwnn" ( 'In This Book').  It was published in 1546 and was the work of John Price of Brecon. 

The full list of suggested hidden meanings are;

* The partridge in a pear tree, represents Jesus Christ.

* Two turtle doves, represent the two Testaments

* Three French hens, represent faith, hope and love.

* The four calling birds, represent the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

* The five golden rings, represent the first five books of the Old Testament.

* The six geese a-laying, represent the six days of the creation.

* Seven swans a-swimming, represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

* The eight maids a-milking, represent the eight beatitudes, given in the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus.

* The nine ladies dancing, represent the Holy Spirit's nine fruits.

* The ten lords a-leaping, represent the Ten Commandments.

* The eleven pipers piping, represent the eleven faithful disciples.

* The twelve drummers drumming, represent the Apostles Creed's twelve points of belief.