A new page has turned on the Church calendar. We are now in the season of Epiphany. On January 7th, I wrote a mini post about it. I am encouraged to gently count the days as I go this year.
Happy Epiphany!
Lord, may your l light shine in the darkness today, may we know that you are God with us. Amen.
The 12 days of Christmas
I also wanted to complete the reflections on the 12 days of Christmas.
The 12 Days of Christmas surprised me with symbolism that encourages us as we linger in the gift of Christ embodied. I am intrigued by the history behind this song and by the meaning behind each of the gifts and how they point back to Jesus and his word.
The Church since it’s conception has experienced persecution and the enemy’s goal has been to shut it down. But the Church of God stands and the gates of hell will not prevail against it,” Jesus said as is recorded in Matthew 16.
This song, The 12 days of Christmas, turns out to be a creative way of passing on the core teachings of the Bible. Although, it began as a veiled teaching by Catholic believers to their children in England it can also be a reminder to us of the core teachings of Christianity. Here are days 7-12 and if you missed the first part check it out here.
7. On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . seven swans a-swimming
This is my prayer as we start this new year, “that we would lean into the Spirit so we can recognize the gifts bestowed to us. That as we recognize them we would walk in step with God so then the gifts can pour out of us through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. “
What a beautiful picture of the majestic swan swimming gracefully and easily through the water. The seven gifts mentioned in this passage are linked to the symbol of the swan. May we gracefully welcome the Holy Spirit’s move in our lives as we make space for the gifts He bestows us to honor God.
“so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:5-8 NIV
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . eight maids a milking
One of the most tangible evidences of God’s desire to be with us is the way he spends time with people in the gospels. It is a conundrum for the religious leaders, “how is it that he associates with the lowly?” When documenting the meaning for this day, Ace Colllins states, “Being a milkmaid was about the worst job one could have in England during this period; this code conveyed that Jesus cared as much about servants as he did those of royal blood.“ He has come and he dwells among us, even us who are poor in spirit, how sweet a gift.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3-10
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . nine ladies dancing⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Galatians 5:18, 22-25 NIV⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This beautiful reminder is so so encouraging to me! I want to walk in step with the Spirit and I also love that this day the ladies dancing symbolize the fruit of the Spirit.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Lord, I pray help us join you in your rhythm of grace, may this year be the year that we walk and even dance in step with your Spirit. Amen!
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . ten lords a-leaping
As a lord is meant to be an honorable and just man who upholds the law, so they were chosen to represent the 10 commandments in this song. Another great reminder as we begin the new year and examine our motives and choices. We can come back to these concrete commandments for guidance and hope, He shows love to a thousand generation for those who love him.
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:3-8, 12-17 NIV
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . eleven pipers piping
The 11 pipers represent the disciples of Christ minus Judas who betrayed Him. These 11 disciples proclaimed the gospel as they had been sent by Jesus to do.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Mark 16:15, 19-20 NIV
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . twelve drummers drumming
The twelfth day of Christmas is a reminder of unity in the church as we come together in belief. The drummers point to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Catholic means universal church of all times and all places
A Poem
I wanted a way to remember these truths and this poem came to life.
Twelve Gifts
This love poem leads us straight to His heart
The partridge in the pear tree gives her life
Freely for her child’s safety
He on a tree did not withhold His life
But instead relinquished His for us
Two turtle doves representing the two testaments of the scriptures
In the beginning was the Word and the word became flesh
He not only spoke the galaxies into being
But drew near to make His dwelling with us
His word is recorded for us bringing us peace and truth
As beautiful as three french hens
He give us faith, hope, and love three gifts ever new
Not only does He strengthen our faith
But He is the Hope of Glory so we put our hope in Him
The greatest of these is Love, and His love is everlasting
Like four calling birds the four gospels tell of the days He walked the earth
Matthew shows us He’s the Messiah awaited for generations
Mark lets us in to His years of ministry as He follows after you
Luke gives us an extraordinary account with glimpses into your childhood
John poetically reminds us of His deity from the beginning
As golden as five golden rings the five books of The Torah
for generations have been the love story of God’s people
These five books point us to His presence with us
He was with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as He promised
He was also with their descendants and also God with us
As six geese a-laying new life He took six day to create
Out of nothing He created the universe
He dreamt us up since before the foundation of the earth
And with His hands He molded and shaped human kind
His breath gave us life and His breath continues to gives us life
As beautiful as sevens swans a-swimming
Are the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit
Each intentionally given with grace
So that some can prophesy, serve, and teach well
While other encourage, give, lead, and show mercy cheerfully
As lowly as eight maids a-milking He came
Showing His glory to the lowliest shepherds first
Being born of a lowly teen without pomp and pedigree
Blessing the poor He came showing them His kingdom come
What grace to us all poor and lowly in sin now saved
Like the crescendo of nine ladies dancing grows
Because the music is swelling with rhythm
So will the nine fruit of the spirit grow in us
As the Holy Spirit’s presence swells in us
Growing us to become more like Jesus
Like the honor due to the ten lords a-leaping
As they honorably keep at the law and help others do as well
The ten commandments are also there to help us keep His law
Through the power of the Spirit we can be guided by them
Helping us to obey in love the commands of God
Like the ten pipers piping share their song
So did the eleven faithful apostle until the lord brought a 12th
They began in Judea but soon persecution took to Samaria
As the church grew and their boldness grew so did the spread of the Gospel
Thankfully it reach the ends of the world and so we could hear it too
As twelve drummers drumming march in unity
So the church is united in the twelve points of the Apostle’s Creed
We believe in God the Father and in his Son and the power of the Holy Spirit in his conception
We believe in Jesus suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and soon return
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church-the communion of saints, grateful for the forgiveness of sin and look forward to the resurrection of our bodies to life everlasting
A love poem made song
A love gift in each verse
A reminder that His truth can’t be thwarted
His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven
His will includes delight, He delights over you with song
~DFD
A Warming Winter Playlist
I am excited for the newness of this year even in the bleak midwinter it is warming me up and giving hope for what’s to come. Even now I know, in the darkness beneath the cold ground new things are growing. This eclectic playlist is keeping me singing and dancing and I am so glad for it. Enjoy!
I pray these reflections on this carol encourage you.
Grace and peace,
Daisy
Such a beautiful post and explanation of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Thank you so much ☺️
And thanks so much for the playlist.