Readers of this blog have been asking me what happened to the last six days of Christmas. The answer is that we began the new year with the beginning lessons assigned in the annual Bible reading guide we are using this year. http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
So, in response to those who are missing the conclusion of the TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, here they are, all in one day, and two weeks after the Twelfth Day of Christmas...
THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
THE SONG
♬ On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Seven Swans a-Swimming
Six Geese a-Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
Why Seven Swans a-swimming on the 7th Day of Christmas?
Seven Swans a-Swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 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 12:4-9 ESV)
As you can see in these verses from Romans, we Christians 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 begin this new year, 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 2017, please help me to better use my God-given gifts and abilities. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________
THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
♬ Eight Maids a-Milking
Why maids a-milking on the Eighth Day of Christmas?
On this day we remember the eight Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3-10)
This looks like a pretty good list of New Year’s resolutions. May you be blessed as you “work” at these by prayer, meditation on the Word, and by helping others in the name of the Lord.
Dear Holy Spirit, please work in my life in this new year so that I may be blessed by the Lord. Please make my heart pure as I hunger and thirst after Your righteous ways. Above all, remind me of sin and of my need for Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
0 Lord Christ, our Savior dear,
Be Thou ever near us.
Grant us now a glad new year.
Amen, Jesus, hear us! (Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #390)
_________________________________________________________________________
THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
♬ Nine Ladies Dancing
Why ladies dancing on the Ninth Day of Christmas?
On this day we remember the nine fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
This also looks like a pretty good list of New Year’s resolutions. May you be blessed as you “work” at these by prayer, meditation on the Word, and by helping others in the name of the Lord. Above all, stay close to Jesus – repent and believe.
Dear Holy Spirit, please work in my life in this new year so that I may be blessed by the Lord. Please make my heart pure as I hunger and thirst after Your righteous ways. Above all, remind me of sin and of my need for Jesus my Savior. Amen.
________________________________________________________________________
THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
♬ Ten Lords a Leaping
Why Ten Lords a leaping on the Tenth Day of Christmas?
The ten lords represent the Ten Commandments.
1. You shall have no other gods.
2. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
3. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not murder.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or maidservant,
his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Ten Commandments that show me my sins, show me Your way, and protect me as well. Thank You even more for Jesus, Your Son and my Savior. Amen.
Have a blessed New Year!
_______________________________________________________________________
THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
♬ Eleven Pipers Piping
The Eleven Pipers Piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans, nor does it include Matthias, the replacement for Judas.
Dearest Lord Jesus, may I be faithful to You, just like the disciples. To this end, please give me a hunger to read and learn more from Your Word this year. Amen.
_______________________________________________________________________
THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS♬ Twelve Drummers Drumming
Why 12 Drummers Drumming on the Twelfth Day of Christmas?
The 12 drummers are said to represent twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed.
• God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
• Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord...
• Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary...
• Suffered... was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell.
• He rose again from the dead.
• He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God and will come to judge.
• The Holy Spirit.
• The holy Christian church.
• The communion of saints.
• The forgiveness of sins.
• The resurrection of the body.
• The life everlasting.
Almighty God, thank You for the Twelve Days of Christmas and the lessons about the Christian faith revealed each day. May my celebration of the incarnation of Christ continue throughout the entire year. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming to this earth with the mission of saving sinners like me. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment