Jan 3rd, 2006
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Lore says that the “Ten Lords A-Leaping” represent the Ten Commandments.
If the creation/evolution debate is the greatest faith topic in modern culture, then the Ten Commandments is a close second. A constant debate over the separation of Church and State in America surrounds the display of the Ten Commandments in public places. Is our display of a granite monument on which are written the words of Exodus 20:1-17 a creation of a national religion? That’s for the courts to debate. What we must consider is how we should display the Ten Commandments in our lives.
It is easy for us to fall prey to the belief that if we display outward signs of faith, then our inward hearts do not matter. The opposite is the truth. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” What God cares about more than our actions is the heart that drives us. We can obey God’s commands all our lives, but if we do so out of selfish desire or a need to fit in, then we fail to honor God.
What God wants from us is not that we would be people who praise God with our lips and curse Him in our hearts, but that we would be people who love God in our hearts and, through our hearts, honor Him with our actions. God doesn’t want obedient slaves; He wants men and women with hearts tuned to pleasing God.
Jan 2nd, 2006
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Lore says that the “Nine Ladies Dancing” represent the fruit of the Holy Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
It is our duty to bear fruit. Jesus tells us in John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” As disciples of Christ, we are called to bear the fruit of the gospel. But what does this fruit look like? It is characterized by these traits – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
What’s interesting about fruit is that any particular plant can only produce one fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is the same way. There are not nine different fruits with each of us producing each of them in varying number. Rather there is one fruit, and when it is healthy and ripe it carries with it nine qualities.
The life that we live should show the fruit of our connection with the vine of Christ. How we live should be characterized by the attributes of mature faith in how we share our lives with others. The fruit is not made for us to eat, but for us to share. It is the fruit that God produces in us that helps us nourish each other and show others what it is to be in love with the eternal Son of God.
Jan 1st, 2006
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Lore says that the “Eight Maids A-Milking” represent the Beatitudes, or blessings by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
In Matthew 5:3-10, Jesus says,
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It is another instance when Jesus turns what the world thinks on its end. The world always has thought blessing was about self-centered happiness. To the world, blessing comes with riches or prosperity or power over others. Jesus sets things right in telling us that blessing doesn’t come with worldly success, but with faithfulness to the one true God of the universe.
We will only be truly blessed and find genuine joy and contentment when we learn the lesson of the Beatitudes. When we put our trust in God and rely on Him for blessing and peace we will find it, regardless of what the world throws at us.
Dec 31st, 2005
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Lore says that the “Seven Swans A-Swimming” represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
Gifts are made for sharing. That’s the nature of gifts, both physical and spiritual. It is important for us to realize that God has given each of us a unique set of gifts that He intends for us to share with each other. Some have gifts that put them in the front, leading others in the church and guiding people to the truth. Some have gifts that are behind the scenes, setting the foundation for people to grow in Christ and quietly helping those in need. For each of us there is a unique set of gifts and abilities that God gives us to share with other believers and to share with those in need of His divine love.
One of the biggest dangers is mistakenly viewing our gifts as a reflection of us instead of a reflection of Christ. We can become jealous of the gifts that God has given others and desire their gifts instead of ours. Or we can become proud of our gifts and begin to think of ourselves as superior to others. We focus on ourselves instead of focusing on using our gifts to honor Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:4-5 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.” God has given us each different gifts, but they come from the same Spirit and are used to serve the same Lord. We were made to glorify God, and God gives us these gifts to share with one another.
