Author: Greg Hildenbrand

Sunday, January 5 The Eleventh Day Reading: “…one of the men who have accompanied us…must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” [1] Reflection: The gift of the eleventh day of Christmas in the song is eleven pipers piping. Eleven refers to the 11 faithful disciples, which excludes Judas. Pipers are known to lead … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Saturday, January 4 The Tenth Day Reading: “Transformation is a process. The accurate language for faith is not that ‘we are saved’ but that we are ‘being saved.’” [1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the tenth day of Christmas is ten-Lords-a-leaping. Ten refers to the Ten Commandments, and Lords imply authority or governing … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Friday, January 3 The Ninth Day Reading: Symbols, like poetry, express what cannot be said. [1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the 9th day of Christmas is nine ladies dancing. Nine refers to the nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[2] Dancing is an expression … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Thursday, January 2 The Eighth Day Reading: “And the (side) that the Lord God had taken from the man (God) made into a woman…” [1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the eighth day of Christmas is Eight Maids a-Milking. The eight maids signify the eight Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.[2] The … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Tuesday, December 31 The Sixth Day Reading: “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…’” [1] Reflection: On the sixth day of the Bible’s allegorical story of creation, God created humankind. The reference to God in this passage is plural and the context is communal, which is a strong … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Sunday, December 29 The Fourth Day Reading: “And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.” [1] Reflection: The number four is reflected in many aspects of creation: the four seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall) and four directions (north, east, west, south). There are also the four base elements of earth, water, fire … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Saturday, December 28 The Third Day Reading: “And God said, ‘Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’” [1] Reflection: The gift of the third day of Christmas, in the song, is three French Hens. Traditionally, the three hens represent the virtues of faith, hope, … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Friday, December 27 The Second Day Reading: “God…separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome…the second day.” [1] Reflection: In the Christmas song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, the gift of the second day is two turtle doves, which are traditional symbols of love, peace, and sacrifice. … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas

Thursday, December 26 The First Day Reading: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is One!” [1] Reflection: December 26th begins the Twelve Days of Christmas, the period of time between Christmas and Epiphany, or between the birth of Jesus and his revelation as a child of God. The twelve days of … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas