“The Real Twelve Days of Christmas”
TEXT: James 1:17-18
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning… 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.”
INTRODUCTION:
In the 16th century, England proclaimed an official state church, and any other religious teaching was strictly forbidden.
For over 300 years, the free expression of Christian Living was not allowed—
During this time, people fled England for a new life in America—PILGRIMS…leaving the OLD WORLD…
Christian parents during this time, were looking for a new way to teach their children the basic doctrines of the Bible.
Someone had a brilliant idea!
Using secret Christian symbols through the
lyrics of a song!
Christians had used symbols before…
The Fish, The Cross, even the Greek letter, “X” was used—
Someone composed this cheerful song, about a generous benefactor who loved to give, could be freely sung without ever using God’s name—
You see, “MY TRUE LOVE” refers to God!
1 John 4:19-21
“We love Him because He first loved us.”
“If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
There’s a song that says,
“I love you, Lord…and I lift my voice…to worship you…O, my soul rejoice! Take joy my King…in what You hear…Let it be a sweet, sweet, sound in Your ear!
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS,
MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME:
I. A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE…
This is a symbol of Jesus Christ!
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The partridge was known as a valiant bird— willing to FIGHT to the DEATH in order to defend it’s young—
He was fighting for you & I at the scourging post—
He was fighting for you & I as He carried that heavy cross up Golgotha’s hill—
He was fighting for you & I as He cried, “IT IS FINISHED!”
Even in the tomb He was fighting for us—
IN 3 DAYS He fought His way out of DEATH’S grip!
This bird’s readiness to DIE for it’s young made it an ancient Christian symbol of Christ!
Jesus still fights for us, even today—
He fights our battles…
He comes to our aid in times of need!
John 10:14-15
“I am the good shepherd…
I lay down my life for the sheep.”
II. TWO TURTLE DOVES…
The 2 turtle doves are the Old & New Testaments or Covenants—
Prior to the 16th century, the common man was not allowed to read the Holy Scriptures for himself.
Historians call this:
“THE DARK AGES”
The Protestant Reformation & Martin Luther changed all of that—
In these two testaments,
God reveals Himself to a lost world!
All through the Bible, He shows us WHO HE IS!
THE WORD OF GOD SAYS:
When we are lonely—He sticks closer than a brother…
When we are sick—He is the God that healeth thee…
Discouraged—He prepares a table before me in the presence of my Enemies—
Adversity—He is a very present help in times of trouble!
That goodness & mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever!
THE WORD OF GOD SAYS:
He is the Alpha & the Omega, the first & the last, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Rose of Sharon, the Bright & Morning Star, Wonderful, Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father, My Master, My closest Friend, My Teacher, My comforter, My shield, My buckler, My Anchor..
III. THREE FRENCH HENS…
French Hens were very valuable poultry during the 16th century—only the rich could afford them!
These costly birds symbolized the 3 valuable gifts given by the three wise men---
Matthew 2:10-11
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
GOLD—the most valuable commodity in the world today!
FRANKINCENSE—used by Jewish High Priests as they would enter into the Holy of Holies!
MYRRH—expensive spices used for burials!
WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!
IV. FOUR CALLING BIRDS…
These reveal the 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John—
John 20:30-31
“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
Like birds calling out with LOUD & distinctive voices, these four Gospels spread abroad the GOOD NEWS of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection!
Isaiah 58:1
“CRY ALOUD, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
4 Calling Birds reminds us that we too, need to be trumpets—
Too many times we are
SILENT TRUMPETS in a LOUD WORLD!
V. FIVE GOLDEN RINGS…
Gold rings are among the most valuable and treasured of all Gifts—
Engagement Rings, Wedding Bands, etc.
To be treated with great reverence & respect—
These five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament—Known to Jews as the Pentateuch.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy.
Above all the other OT writings…
IT TOLD ABOUT:
The Creation
The Fall of Man
History of the God’s Chosen People—
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!
Every child in America needs to be RE-introduced to
God’s Ten Commandments!
VI. SIX GEESE A-LAYING…
In many cultures, EGGS symbolize new life.
6 geese laying eggs become reminders of the six days of creation when God, by His Word, brought forth life on earth.
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 31 “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
Not only did God create this world, but He also SUSTAINS it—
Webster’s Dictionary defines “sustain” as—
“to hold up and keep from falling”
The CREATIVE HAND OF GOD hung the sun, moon, & stars in the heavens—
…and He Placed the Earth in position and said, “STAY THERE!”
Jude 24
“(God)… is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…”
VII. SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING… (ROMANS 12)
7 swans are symbols of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit!
Romans 12:5-8
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Just as baby swans grow and change from “ugly ducklings” into beautiful and graceful birds—
So do God’s children grow and change through the work of the Holy Spirit!
In Acts 8:19, someone wanted to BUY the gift of the Holy Spirit!
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”
These various gifts of the Holy Spirit are distributed for the benefit of the entire body of Christ.
Not just for one denomination—
Not just for one church group—
Not just for a limited number of “HOLY” people!
VIII. EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING… (MATTHEW 5)
This symbolizes the eight beatitudes!
Eight unique teaching of Jesus from His Sermon on the Mount—
THEY NURTURE & STRENGTHEN US MUCH AS THE WAY MILK NOURISHES A CHILD!
Matthew 5:2-12
And (Jesus) opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
1) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
3) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
4) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
5) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
6) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
7) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
8) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The word “blessed” means, “spiritual joy & satisfaction that LASTS regardless of conditions—
…That carries one through pain, sorrow, loss, and grief.
Circumstances may arise, but “I AM BLESSED!” IT LASTS!
IT’S WHAT CAUSED:
Daniel to sleep all night in a LION’S DEN— He was BLESSED!
Joshua to say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”—WE ARE BLESSED!
Job to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”—
BLESSED!
David to say, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow…”
BLESSED!
Paul & Silas to sing in the prison house in the midnight hour—
BLESSED!
IT MAKES ME WANT TO SING:
I am blessed! I am blessed!
Everyday that I live I am blessed!
When I wake up in the morning—‘Till I lay my head to rest…
I am BLESSED! I am BLESSED!
IX. NINE LADIES DANCING…
These nine ladies dancing represent the 9 Fruit of the Spirit!
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
These are in OPPOSITION to the WORKS of the FLESH!
The FRUIT of the SPIRIT are VICTORIOUS!
Galatians 5:19-26 (Works—burdened down, sweat of the brow)
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
LET IT GO!
22 BUT the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another”.
X. TEN LORDS A-LEAPING…
(Lords were men with authority to command people’s obedience.)
Ten Lords a-leaping symbolize God’s ten basic laws—
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!
You shall have no other gods before me
Do not make an idol
Do not take God’s name in vain
Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy
Honor your father and mother
Do not murder
Do not commit adultery
Do not steal
Do not bear false witness
Do not covet
The original prayer delivered January 23, 1996 by the Rev. Joe Wright of Central Christian Church –to the Kansas State Senate.
EVERYONE WAS EXPECTING THE USUAL GENERALITIES—THIS IS WHAT THEY HEARD:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and seek your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that’s exactly what we’ve done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We confess that:
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it moral pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbors’ possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our fore-fathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us O God and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by you, to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the name of your son, the living savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.
In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, logged more than 5,000 phone calls
with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.
XI. ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING…
This symbolizes the 11 apostles who were chosen by Jesus and remained faithful to Him—
Like children joyfully following a piper, these disciples followed Jesus—
They also called others to follow Him—
They piped an everlasting tune of great joy—the salvation message!
These 11 apostles followed Jesus to the bitter end—All but one being martyred for their faith—
James—beheaded by Herod (Acts 12)
Philip—crucified in AD 54
Matthew—axed in Ethiopia AD 60
Andrew—crucified
Peter—crucified upside down in Rome
Bartholomew—cruelly beaten & crucified in India
Thomas—pierced by a spear and killed also in India
Simon the Zealot—crucified in Britain—AD 74
Thaddeus— He was crucified AD 72.
James, the son of Alphaeus—beaten to death at the age of 94
XII. TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING…
Just as drummers beat out a loud, steady rhythm for marchers to follow, so the Apostle’s Creed sets forth the beliefs of those who call themselves Christians.
These drummers represent the 12 vital Christian beliefs as stated in the Apostle’s Creed:
“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the
Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.”
