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Day 12: Twelve Days of Christmas: The Story Behind These Strange Gifts?

Last but not least… “On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming.” Maybe these drummers help to think of the twelfth gift as the gift of the 12 points of the doctrine in the Apostles Creed, which are:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
 I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
 He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
 He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
 He descended into hell. On the third day, he rose again.
 He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
 He will come again 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.

The Apostles Creed is a statement of beliefs and when said in church, these are beliefs that people accept as truth and a profession of their faith. The story of Christmas – the birth of Jesus – brings us so much hope. 

Day 12 Action: Share the story of Christmas with a friend in need of hope.

For the “Story Behind These GIfts” click here

For Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree click here

For Day 2: Two Turtle Doves click here

For Day 3: Three French Hens click here

For Day 4: Four Calling Birds click here

For Day 5: Five Golden Rings click here

For Day 6: Six Geese a Laying click here

For Day 7: Seven Swans a Swimming click here

For Day 8: Eight Milk Maids click here

For Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing click here

For Day 10: Ten Lords a Leaping click here

For Day 11: Eleven Pipers Piping click here

Day 11: Twelve Days of Christmas: The Story Behind These Strange Gifts?

“…Eleven pipers piping…” This line helps us remember the 11 disciples. If you’re thinking, “Weren’t there 12 disciples?” you are right, but in this instance, the song reminds us to remember all but Judas, who betrayed Jesus. The 11 carried Jesus’ message through the earth and you can read more about them in Luke 6:14-16. 

The eleven faithful apostles can be found referenced in Luke 6:14-16. The disciples were faithful in their walk with Jesus and were important in His journey but also carrying out His story after His death. 

Think about the people you have in your life and how important they are, how people are better by the journey they’ve lived.

Day 11 Action: Write a tribute to someone important today. Consider posting it online for the world to know what a great contribution they’ve made in your life.

For the “Story Behind These GIfts” click here

For Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree click here

For Day 2: Two Turtle Doves click here

For Day 3: Three French Hens click here

For Day 4: Four Calling Birds click here

For Day 5: Five Golden Rings click here

For Day 6: Six Geese a Laying click here

For Day 7: Seven Swans a Swimming click here

For Day 8: Eight Milk Maids click here

For Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing click here

For Day 10: Ten Lords a Leaping click here

Day 10: Twelve Days of Christmas: The Story Behind These Strange Gifts?

“…Ten lords-a-leaping…” Did you know that lords were judges and in charge of the law? They are a symbol of the Ten Commandments, which were considered a form of ‘law’ given to Moses from God. The Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 and were beneficial laws that show us how to live a better life and a way to please God. 

The Commandments are: 

You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make idols.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honour your father and your mother.
 You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
You shall not covet. 

Jesus summed up all of these laws into two – Love God and love your neighbour. 

Day 10 Action: Today, do something nice for your neighbour. Some ideas are: send flowers, offer to have their kids over for a play, write a nice note and deliver with some Christmas treats.

For the “Story Behind These GIfts” click here

For Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree click here

For Day 2: Two Turtle Doves click here

For Day 3: Three French Hens click here

For Day 4: Four Calling Birds click here

For Day 5: Five Golden Rings click here

For Day 6: Six Geese a Laying click here

For Day 7: Seven Swans a Swimming click here

For Day 8: Eight Milk Maids click here

For Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing click here

Day 9: Twelve Days of Christmas: The Story Behind These Strange Gifts?

Nine ladies dancing remind us of the nine Fruits of the Spirit. The Fruits of the Spirit are a Biblical term that describes nine attributes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. The Greek word for ‘fruit’ is a natural product of a living thing and is unified in whole, meaning you need all nine for growth. 

How can you apply these fruits to your own life? 

Day 9 Action: Practice kindness today by taking a meal to someone who needs some encouragement and provision.

For the “Story Behind These GIfts” click here

For Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree click here

For Day 2: Two Turtle Doves click here

For Day 3: Three French Hens click here

For Day 4: Four Calling Birds click here

For Day 5: Five Golden Rings click here

For Day 6: Six Geese a Laying click here

For Day 7: Seven Swans a Swimming click here

For Day 8: Eight Milk Maids click here

Day 8: Twelve Days of Christmas: The Story Behind These Strange Gifts?

“On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…eight maids-a-milking…” Being a milkmaid was considered one of the worst jobs you could have in England during the time period this song was written! 

But Jesus was never one to shy away from a difficult job. He cared as much for His servants as He did those of royal blood. These milkmaids remind us of the eight Beatitudes that Jesus used to describe the way that we are to live, caring even for those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, or the meek. 

These Beatitudes teach us how to live a Christian life and they are… 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. 

What a beautiful set of rules to live by.

Day 8 Action: Offer to help someone with a chore or job that needs to be done, whether it’s someone in your home or a neighbour. It could be mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, folding a load of laundry – anything to serve. 

For the “Story Behind These GIfts” click here

For Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree click here

For Day 2: Two Turtle Doves click here

For Day 3: Three French Hens click here

For Day 4: Four Turtle Doves click here

For Day 5: Five Golden Rings click here

For Day 6: Six Geese a Laying click here

For Day 7: Seven Swans a Swimming click here