Legend tells us that The Twelve Days of Christmas
was a secret catechism during times of persecution.
For these twelve days let’s focus on twelve teachings:
The Eighth Day of Christmas
Eight Maids a Milking
The eight maids a milking are said to represent the eight beatitudes.
In the greatest teaching unit of Jesus recorded in Scripture – Matthew 5-7 – Jesus ascended a mountain and outlined, among other things, a godly ethic. And he started with these words …
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
3. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Indeed, as a continuation of beatitude eight:] Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12
What do the beatitudes tell us?
The world has an upside-down way of viewing what’s important. The world rewards riches, power, conquering, shrewdness, and selfish gain. In the end, however, those pursuits are not what God will reward!
God values peacemaking and mercy. Righteousness and integrity. Gentleness and generosity. Courage and steadfastness.
In Christ’s Love,
a guy who thinks he’ll like
heaven and its gentle principles
more than life and it’s corruption
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