Dec 22 - Hebrews 3:13

Merry Christmas! - day 1

exhort one another every day,

as long as it is called day

Hebrews 3:13

As soon as Christmas day ends, many people immediately pull down the tree, turn off the carols, and declare Christmas, "so over."

The historic church has a completely different logic. Advent is a season of praying, waiting, and preparation. The season of Christmas begins with Christmas morn and lasts until Epiphany -- twelve days. Hence, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

But have you heard the legend behind that song? It is believed to have come from a time of persecution within the church. Christians had to subtly teach their faith, and they did it, in part, through these lyrics:

• A Partridge in a Pear Tree -- This was Jesus, the heart of our faith, who died on a tree to set us free. His life-giving death is the meaning for every season, including Christmas.
  
• Two Turtle Doves -- Represented the Old and New Testaments.
  
• Three French Hens -- Represented the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  
• Four Calling Birds -- Were the four Gospels that continually call to our hearts
  
• Five Golden Rings -- Represented the Torah. The first five books of the Bible, the Torah was also known as the Books of Moses or "The Law." Traditionally these first five scrolls were bound with a golden ring to hold them together.
  
• Six Geese a Laying -- Represented the six days of creation; God "laid" the foundations of earth and the life that was brought forth from this "egg" called earth.
  
• Seven Swans A-Swimming -- These are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Council (Right Judgment), Courage, Knowledge, Piety, and the Fear of the Lord.
  
• Eight Maids A-Milking -- These are the eight beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor ... meek ... hungry ... etc."
  
• Nine Ladies Dancing -- These are the nine fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.
  
• Ten Lords A-Leaping -- The Ten Commandments
  
• Eleven Pipers Piping -- The eleven faithful apostles who piped and proclaimed the Good News all over creation.
  
• Twelve Drummers Drumming -- represented the twelve key points found in the Apostles Creed.

If you've got kids or grandkids, make sure this Christmas that they -- and you -- can name the nine fruits of the Spirit quicker than they can name Santa's nine reindeer (including Rudolph).

In Christ's Love,

a guy who has a song to remember

the nine fruits (in addition to the song

that helps me remember Santa's nine deer)