INSPIRASUNS

Go ahead you know you want to finish that verse… “My true love gave to me, five gold rings”. 🙂

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and you were able to spend it with loved ones. We made it to Indiana to spend the holiday with family, and although not everyone could be there due to the weather, it was a wonderful few days. Now the weather, ya, well, that’s for another time, let’s just say you all can keep that -10 stuff!

Over the past few days on social media, I’ve seen posts about how people have taken down Christmas, cleaned the house, finished the laundry, etc. It makes me kind of sad that as soon as the day has passed, or in some cases, even Christmas night, people are putting everything away. There is such a build up and then poof it’s gone.

Our family celebrates the 12 days of Christmas, which begins Christmas day and goes until Epiphany, the commemoration of the coming of the Magi.

So, yes, it’s more than just a song, it really does have meaning. The song was written as a way to teach children about their faith. From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics were not able to practice their faith openly in Protestant England, so this song was written to help pass on beliefs to the children. Of course, it is considered a “secular” song now that has stood the test of time, 🙂 .

I thought it might be fun to share what the actual gifts signify so here ya go:

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ who died on a “tree” as a gift from God.
2. Two turtle doves are the Old and the New Testaments – another gift from God.
3. The three French hens are faith, hope, and love – the three gifts of the Spirit that abide.
4. The four colley birds, (the modern version of the songs uses calling), are the four gospels of of the bible.
5. The five gold rings are the first five books of the Bible, also called the “Books of Moses”.
6. The six geese-a-laying are the six days of creation. (On the seventh day, God rested).
7. The seven swans-a-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:8-10)
8. The eight maids-a-milking are the beatitudes.
9. The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
10. The ten lords-a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. The eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful disciples.
12. The twelve drummers drumming are the twelve major points of the Apostles’ Creed.

So there you go, a little history lesson on this fifth day of Christmas. I hope you continue to celebrate Christmas for the next several days. Enjoy the hope that this season brings and remember the special gift given to us, the baby Jesus. Have a great day everyone!

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.