Contemplating Grace

The Eleventh Day of Christmas 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 others … Continue reading The Eleventh Day of Christmas

The Tenth Day of Christmas 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 power. Thus, … Continue reading The Tenth Day of Christmas

The Ninth Day of Christmas 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 of joy … Continue reading The Ninth Day of Christmas

The Eighth Day of Christmas 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 work … Continue reading The Eighth Day of Christmas

The Seventh Day of Christmas Reading: “So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work…done in creation.” [1] Reflection: The seventh day of creation symbolizes a day of rest from one’s labors, as opposed to a day of completion. The cycles of creation, life, and work … Continue reading The Seventh Day of Christmas

The Sixth Day of Christmas 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 hint that … Continue reading The Sixth Day of Christmas

The Fifth Day of Christmas Reading: And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.”[1] Reflection: On the fifth day of creation, as recorded in Genesis, God called for the creation of “swarms of living creatures” in the waters, … Continue reading The Fifth Day of Christmas

The Fourth Day of Christmas 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 and air. … Continue reading The Fourth Day of Christmas

The Third Day of Christmas 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, and love, … Continue reading The Third Day of Christmas