Contemplating Grace

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

The Second Day of Christmas 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. One of … Continue reading The Second Day of Christmas

The First Day of Christmas 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 Christmas are … Continue reading The First Day of Christmas

Christmas Day Reading: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”[1] Meditation: Embrace the Darkness Everything in creation manifests in darkness. The Bible’s first creation story reads: “…the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep…” All life emerges from under the cover of darkness: … Continue reading Christmas Day