Friday, January 3, 2025 - THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

 

"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)

Friday, January 3, 2025 - Day 3 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Joshua 11:28-12:7; Psalm 3; Acts 16:11-24)

THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

 On the tenth day of Christmas

     my true love sent to me:

Ten Lords a Leaping (10 Commandments)

 Nine Ladies Dancing (9 Fruits of the Spirit)

 Eight Maids a-Milking (8 Beatitudes)

 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)

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree. (JESUS and His death on the cross)

The Ten Lords a Leaping 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. 

(Luther's Small Catechism, Concordia Publishing House)

The Law of God is good and wise

And sets His will before our eyes,

Shows us the way of righteousness,

And dooms to death when we transgress. 

Its light of holiness imparts

The knowledge of our sinful hearts

That we may see our lost estate

And seek escape before too late. 

To those who help in Christ have found

And would in works of love abound

It shows what deeds are His delight

And should be done as good and right. 

But those who scornfully disdain

God’s Law shall then in sin remain,

Its terror in their ear resounds

And keeps their wickedness in bounds. 

The Law is good; but since the fall

Its holiness condemns us all;

It dooms us for our sin to die

And has no power to justify. 

To Jesus we for refuge flee,

Who from the curse has set us free

And humbly worship at His throne,

Saved by His grace through faith alone. 

(Lutheran Service Book #579)

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!

Pastor David Paape