Skip to main content

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

Depending upon where you live, this is either the first day of shopping sales and returning presents, or, it is the beginning of a new series of celebration days.  Of course, to my English friends today is "Boxing Day" - a day that has it's traditions in Victorian England when the servants and their families received gifts (presumably in the boxes) because they would have had to serve their master's families on Christmas day.

For me, today is the first day of the 12 days of Christmas.  Made famous by the Christmas song of the same name, it has a tradition that goes back approximately 500 years.  Since most of us are not part of liturgical churches little of this is known, or adhered to.

These 12 days occur between Christmas and January 6th - which is Epiphany.  Epiphany is from the Greek word that means "appearance".  Epiphany is marked on the calendar as the date the Magi came, seeking the baby born who was 'King of the Jews'.  In some traditions - notably Eastern Orthodoxy - because the Wise Men came bearing gifts, January 6 is considered to be Christmas day!

Interestingly the song named after the "12 days of Christmas" is not just a cute song (or in some people's consideration,  nonsense).  This song has its roots in the 17th century when some parts of the church were under assault.  The song is considered to be a device for teaching truths - a sort of catechism done by song.  The "true love" is God, and "Me" is the believer.
So...


On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...




Why a Partridge in a pear tree?  The Partridge is a bird that will feign injury to protect its young and in some cases sacrifice its own life for the sake of its young.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more