matthew 5:3-12

I am going to admit that I never really thought much about the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” until I was sitting in church one morning. I never really considered that each of the twelve things could have certain meaning—a bigger, broader, spiritual meaning. Consider the following meanings as you listen to this song.

Since we all know that the stanzas repeat themselves and grow as each day is added, I will only refer to the last stanza:

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent 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
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

The twelve days of this song refer to the twelve days that start on Christmas Day. If you notice, the song repeatedly says “…my true love sent to me.” The true love is that of the love that we receive from God. His first gift to us is the partridge in the pear tree, or His only begotten Son, Jesus. He loved us more than we could ever know and sent His Son to save us.

So as to not leave the entire stanza out, days 2-7 mean many things:

Day 2:   Two Turtle Doves: The Old and the New Testament
Day 3:   Three French Hens: Faith, Hope, Charity
Day 4:   Four Calling Birds: The Four Gospels
Day 5:   Five Golden Rings: The Five Books of Moses
Day 6:   Six Geese a-Laying: Six Days of Creation
Day 7:   Seven Swans a-Swimming: 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Now day 8, Eight Maids a-Milking, can really hit home. Day 8 represents the 8 Beatitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:3-12

These are the blessings of God on those who believe in Him and show Him to the world. The poor in spirit will receive the kingdom of Heaven. The mourning will be comforted. The meek will inherit the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. Those who show mercy will be shown mercy by God. The pure in heart will see God. The peacemakers will be seen as the sons of God. The persecuted (which I like believe include those who are persecuted in the name of Jesus in this day and time) will also see the kingdom of Heaven. The blessed people of the earth will receive the kingdom of Heaven. For me, these blessings are the ones that we will all receive when Jesus returns. It won’t be sectioned out because there are those out there who show a lot of these traits -mercy, love, peacemaking, mourn, etc.- plus we know that God does not play favorites. I believe that we will all see the kingdom of Heaven because as Christians, we are persecuted because of righteousness-because we claim Jesus as our Savior. Of course, I could be wrong but I do believe this to be true. This is just an interpretation. I guess I will have to wait until Christ returns to see if my beliefs are right or wrong in some perspective.

As for Days 9 through 12:
Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing: Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Day 10: Ten Lords a-Leaping: Ten Commandments
Day 11: Eleven Pipers Piping: Eleven Faithful Disciples
Day 12: Twelve Drummers Drumming: Twelve Articles of the Apostles Creed

Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for this joyous season. Thank You for the blessings that are listed in the Beatitudes. We here on earth cannot wait to receive those that are destined for us when we reach the kingdom of Heaven. Please be with us all as we go through this season and remember our Savior. In Jesus name, Amen.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us,
that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.
Psalms 67:1-2

Everyone loves to be blessed. People don’t typically wander around praying curses for themselves. We, as Christians, have a Father who loves to bless. (Take a look at the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12.) Yes, our God is all about blessing His children!

Why? He loves us.

Why else? So we can bless others.

Ephesians 4:33 tells us that God forgave us, so we can forgive others.

And in John 13:34 we read that God loves us, so we can love others.

Romans 12: 6-8 speaks about the gift(s) we were given and how they should be used, “…if, it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach…” We don’t use our gift(s) for ourselves, but for others!

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,
that our ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Psalms 67:1-2

When God blesses us, others see and can come to know Him; just like He promised Judah and Israel,

As you have been an object of cursing among the nations,
O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing.
Do not be afraid, but let your hand be strong,
Zechariah 8:13

And, of course, our Jesus leads by example.

…For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich,
yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich,
2 Corinthians 8:9

So… what’s the “catch?” Deuteronomy 28:1-14 explains how obeying the Lord leads to blessings. In order to be obedient you must know His Word. And to know His Word and apply it as intended you need to have a RELATIONSHIP with him.

So, what’s the “catch?” You are. God gets to have you in relationship with Him and that is what He has always wanted.

* * * * *

Abba, thank You for blessing me. Thank You for providing rewards for my obedience and discipline for my disobedience. You have shown very clearly in Your Word the consequences of both. Help me to be forever obedient that I may constantly reap the benefits of obedience and help me to keep my hands open to others, as I share what you have given me. Help me to remember that my obedience doesn’t affect myself alone but those around me, as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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