"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Day 365
THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Seven Swans a-Swimming
(7 Gifts of the Spirit)
Six Geese a Laying
(Six days of Creation)
Five Golden Rings
(The Pentateuch... first 5 books of the Bible)
Four Calling Birds
(The 4 Gospels... Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
Three French Hens
(The Holy Trinity... Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
Two Turtle Doves
(The Old and New Testaments)
A Partridge in a Pear Tree.
(OUR LORD JESUS)
Link to the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qySAkZwLrOA
Why Seven Swans a-swimming on the 7th Day of Christmas?
Seven Swans a-Swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-9 ESV)
As you can see in these verses from Romans, we Christians are called upon to fight the naturally human tendency to think more about ourselves than we should. We all have a role to play in God’s plan, a role for which He has provided you with just the right gift(s). We are all in this together. As we prepare to step into 2024, may we do so with a determination to make better use of our God-given gifts for His glory and in His service.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your undeserved mercy in this past year. Yes, thank You for forgiving my sins and setting my feet upon Your path. In 2024, please help me to better use my God-given gifts and abilities to Your glory. Amen.
Have a blessed Seventh Day of Christmas!
“See” you at the Communion rail this morning.
Pastor David Paape
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