Dec 16, 2010 - The Twelve Days of Christmas
That's what the old song "The Twelve Days of Christmas is all about : the incredible richness of the revelation that is ours in Jesus Christ.
The partridge in the pear tree, the first day, is none other than Jesus Christ whose wings are lovingly spread out to protect his vulnerable followers.
The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments which together speak of His advent.
The three French hens are faith, hope and charity, which end Paul's love song in I Corinthians 13.
The four calling birds are the four gospels which speak of God's reconciling love.
The five gold rings are the Pentateuch of Moses which speak of the fall and redemption of humankind.
The six geese a-laying honor God Who created the world in six days and sustains it.
The seven swans a-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in chapter 12 of both I Corinthians and Romans
The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.
The nine ladies dancing are the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5.
The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments
The eleven pipers playing are the eleven faithful disciples
and finally the twelve drummers drumming are the twelve doctrinal statements of the Apostles'Creed.
Oct. 7 - read by Brenda M:
Helen Steiner Rice:
You ask me how I know its true- that there is a living God:
A God who rules the universe - the sky, the sea, the sod -
A God who holds all creatures in the hollow of His hand-
A God who put infinity in one tiny, grain of sand -
A God who made the seasons - winter, summer, fall and spring
and put his flawless rhythm into each created thing -
A God who hangs the sun out slowly, with the break of day -
and gently takes the stars in and puts the night away-
A God whose mighty handiwork defies the skill of man-
For no architect, can alter God's perfect Master Plan..
What better answers are there to prove His holy being?
Than the wonders all around us, that are ours, just for the seeing?
Sept. 23 - read by Freda K:
The Silver Smith
There was a group of women in a Bible Study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the Women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work.
She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse, that "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, how do yo know when the silver is fully refined? he smiled at her and answered, Oh that's easy - when I see my image in it, like a mirror"
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Be Blessed!
Author Unknown
