TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Epiphany)

 

 

 

 

Twelve Days of Christmas

Epiphany

January 6, 2013

 

 

For God so loved the world that He gave..." "... and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh."

 

 

The Christian Church has long celebrated the 6th of January as the feast of the Wise Men. We have never quite figured out who they were. But, is it really important? Probably not.

 

They disclosed their finest to the One they believed to be the King of the Jews. Just as God had given His best, they gave what were the most expensive gifts of their day. Gold for prosperity, frankincense for sweetness and atmosphere and myrrh as a preservative symbolizing His ability to overcome even the worst of times. Their finest to the Finest!

 

It is a long journey from the first day of Advent to Epiphany. If you have read each day you have laughed, cried, and discovered a new vision of God's greatest manifestation of His love for you. You too, have felt your own emotions churn as the recollections and reminiscences of others have reminded you of days of hope, love, peace and family. You have had things disclosed to you that you had long forgotten. Some of those were blessings. Others may have been things that you wish had remained hidden.

 

But, each one of them is you. Your life, your dreams, your desires, your longings. Like it or not, you have to deal with each of them and accept yourself because and in spite of them. That is okay. It really is. God does, whether you do or not.

 

The whole story of the season is meant for you. You are the "whosoever" of John 3:16, God gave Himself for you. A whole year is ahead of you as the celebration of Christmas draws to a close. If you have not done it yet, please, be encouraged to give God the BEST gift you ever could. YOURSELF! You are important, so important that Jesus came and gave Himself on your behalf. All He has ever wanted is to give you the chance to be free in Him. To be His. To know Him as a personal God, Friend, Companion.

 

Won't you give Him what He wants most for Christmas?

 

 

~ Joe Hittle ~

Ottumwa, Iowa 

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Day Twelve)

 

 

 

 

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day Twelve

January 5, 2012

 

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me...

 

 

Twelve Drummers Drumming,

Eleven Pipers Piping,

Ten Lords A-leaping,

Nine Ladies Dancing,

Eight Maids A-milking,

Seven Swans A-swimming,

Six Geese A-laying,

Fiiivvve Gold Rings,

Four Calling Birds,

Three French Hens,

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

The Twelve Drummers represent

 

The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed:

1) I believe in GOD, the Father Almighty,

Creator of Heaven and Earth.

2) I believe in Jesus Christ,

His Only Son, Our Lord.

3) He was conceived by the power of the

Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was

crucified, died and was buried.

He decended into hell [the grave].

5) On the third day He rose again. He

ascended into Heaven, and is seated at

the right hand of the Father.

6) He will come again to judge

the living and the dead.

7) I believe in the Holy Spirit,

8) the Holy Catholic Church,

9) the Communion of Saints,

10) the forgiveness of sins

11) the resurrection of the body,

12) and life everlasting.



TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Day Eleven)

 

 

 

 

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day Eleven

January 4, 2013

 

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas.

my true love gave to me...

 

Eleven Pipers Piping,

Ten Lords A-leaping,

Nine Ladies Dancing,

Eight Maids A-milking,

Seven Swans A-swimming,

Six Geese A-laying,

Fiiivvve Gold Rings,

Four Calling Birds,

Three Frendh Hens,

Two Turtle Doves

 and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

 

Eleven Pipers reprsent

The eleven Faithful Apostles:

1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John,

5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew,

8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alpphaeus,

10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James.

(Luke 6:14-16)

The list does not include the twelfth disciple,

Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the

religious leaders and the Romans.



TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Day Ten)

 

 

 

 

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day Ten

January 3, 2013

 

 

On the tenth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me...

 

Ten Lords A-leaping,

Nine Ladies Dancing,

Eight Maids A-milking,

Seven Swans A-swimming,

Six Geese A-laying,

Fiiivvve Gold Rings,

Four Calling Birds,

Three French Hens,

Two Turtle Doves,

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

 

 

Ten Lords represent

The Ten Commandments;

1) You shall have no other gods before me;

2) Do not make any idols;

3) Do not take God's name in vain;

4) Remember the Sabbath Day;

5) Honor your father and mother;

6) Do not murder;

7) Do not commit adultery;

8) Do not steal;

9) Do not bear false witness;

10) Do not covet.

(Exodus 20:1-17)

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Day Nine)

 

 

 

 

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day Nine

January 2, 2013

 

 

On the ninth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me...

 

Nine Ladies Dancing,

Eight Maids A-milking,

Seven Swans A-swimming,

Six Geese A-laying,

Fiiivvve Gold Rings,

Four Calling Birds,

Three French Hens,

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

 

Nine Ladies represent

The nine fruits of the Spirit:

1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience

5) kindness, 6) generosity, 7) faithfulness

8) gentleness and 9) self-control

(Galatians 5:22-23)

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Day Eight)

 

 

 

 

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day Eight

January 1, 2013

 

 

On the eighth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me...

 

 

Eight Maids A-milking,

Seven Swans A-swimming,

Six Geese A-laying,

Fiiivvve Gold Rings,

Four Calling Birds,

Three French Hens,

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

 Eight Maids represent

 The eight Beatitudes:

1) Blessed are the poor in spirit,

2) those who mourn, 3) the meek,

4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart,

7) the peacemakers,

8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.

(Matthew 5:3-10)