Blessings to you as we wrap up this holiday season. Hi this is Dorette Schaal with an encouraging word for your day. Today as we prepare for the New Year, I will be talking about the 12 days of Christmas. During the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany on Jan 6, much of the church world takes time to reflect on God’s goodness during the past year in preparation for the next. I will actually be using the song 12 days of Christmas which has often been thought to be a playful reminder of spiritual concepts. Hope you enjoy! Here is your daily eword.
Monday
Today we will take a look at the last 3 on the list of the 12 days of Christmas. The “ten ladies dancing” are a reminder of the Ten Commandments listed in the book of Exodus. You may know them by heart, but in case you don’t here they are:
You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
4 “You shall worship no graven image
7 “You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long on the earth.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet.
In the NewTestament, Jesus simplified these 10 Commandments down to these two. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. The two, cover all of the 10! I know you can remember those two!
The “eleven pipers piping” represent the eleven Apostles who remained faithful. Judas was the one who denied Christ and was replaced. But the 11 were the ones who continued to stand next to and for the Lord.
The “twelve lords a leaping” are the twelve basic beliefs in the Apostles Creed. You probably know them as this:
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit:
9. I believe in the holy Christian church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting.
So as we continue toward the end of the twelve days of Christmas, and toward Epiphany when the church celebrates the arrival of the 3 kings, I hope this fun song reminds you of how wonderful it is to be a Christian, and be part of the family of God. On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me……
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