This is the third and final part of a series examining the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Read Part 1 here.
Read Part 2 here.
Day Eight–Eight Maids A-Milking
The eight maids are the beatitudes from Matthew 5. They are the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
- 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 obtain 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 men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Day Nine–Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine ladies represent the nine fruits of the Spirit, from Galatians 5:22-23.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.”
My only issue with this is that there’s ONE fruit of the Spirit, not nine. When the Spirit bears fruit in our lives, we exhibit all these characteristics. It’s all or nothing.
Now, that doesn’t mean that we exhibit them all equally. One side of a tree may flourish, perhaps it receives more sun than the other, while the other side struggles, due to injury or disease. The lagging side requires more care and nurture, but all are striving to grow.
There is one fruit of the Spirit with nine characteristics, not nine fruits of the Spirit. Share on XDay Ten–Ten Lords A-Leaping
The ten lords are the ten commandments.
- I am the Lord thy God, you shall not have any gods before Me.
This commandment forbids idolatry and mandates monotheism. - You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
- Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
By the way, the Sabbath, still obsered by the Jews, begins at sundown on Friday evening and lasts until sundown on Saturday. Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christians observe The Lord’s Day, Sunday, to honor the day Christ rose from the dead. - Honor thy father and mother.
This establishes the basis of authority. Children honor and are grateful for those who provide for them. We also respect our elders. - Thou shalt not kill.
Technically, the word used here is “murder.” Killing an innocent person is considered murder. Killing an unjust aggressor to preserve your own life is still killing, but not considered a violation of a commandment. - Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Adultery is sex with someone else’s spouse or, if you are married, with anyone other than your spouse. Catholic teaching includes fornication (sex between unmaried people), prostitution, pornography, homosexual activity, masturbation, group sex, rape, incest, pedophilia, bestiality, and necrophilia in this commandment. - Thou shalt not steal.
This commandment forbids the act of taking someone else’s property. Based on this commandment, the Catholic Church denounces cheating people of their money or property, depriving workers of their just wage, or not giving employers a full day’s work for a full day’s pay. Embezzlement, fraud, tax evasion, and vandalism are all considered extensions. This forms the basis of trade in a just civilization. - Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
This commandment honors truth and condemns lying. - Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
Entertaining lust will eventually lead you to indulgence. - Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
Entertaining greed and jealousy are dangerous.
Day Eleven–Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven pipers reprsent the eleven faithful disciples or apostles.
Matthew, Mark and Luke all list twelve disciples by name.
The Twelve (eleven after Judas betrays Jesus) were those closest to him, his inner circle. But they were not his only disciples, or the only apostles. In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 70 disciples (or 72 depending on the manuscript from which the translation comes) in pairs. Paul (1 Cor 1:1) comes to be thought of as an apostle. Andronicus and Junia (a female) are both referred to as apostles (Romans 16). Matthias is elected to replace Judas (Acts 1).
The Twelve weren't the only disciples or apostles. Jesus sends out 70 disciples. Andronicus, Junia and Paul are all apostles. Share on XDay Twelve–Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve drummers represent the Apostles’ Creed.
Here’s the Protestant version:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; [he descended to the dead.] On the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, where he is seated at the right hand of the Father, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The portion in brackets is not included by all Protestants, and the term “catholic” does not mean Roman Catholic. It just means universal.
The Catholic Version
The Catholic Church divides the creed into twelve points.
1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. Under Pontius Pilate, he was crucified, died and was buried.
5. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit.
9. I believe in the holy Catholic Church and the communion of saints.
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sins.
11. I believe in the Resurrection of the body.
12. I believe in the life everlasting.
The Apostles’ Creed enumerates the core tenets of the Christian faith. If Christianity is thought of as a wide pasture for those following Christ, the Apostles’ Creed may be considered the fence posts.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Not all the links are affiliate links.