Praise & Shine

Over the last few years, circumstances have required us to worship in different ways. Many Christians today opt to stay at home in their pajamas and stream their church services while they sit on the couch. And why not? 

God has created us for community and friendships. The friendships and relationships we create with our church families are a blessing that allows us to do more for God’s Kingdom.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25

The enemy has used the last few years to isolate us. Like a predator on the hunt, the easy target is the one separated from the herd. We live in discouraging times, so the more godly relationships we can have to remind us that we are not alone in our faith, the better. 

We are called to love God, and love people. 

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'” Matthew 9:35-38

We are the workers in the field and what we have been called to do is even more important now because the task is not as easy as it once was. But through our relationship with Christ as the Head, we who are His hands and feet can accomplish this vital work. 

It’s time to come together again as a church body, encouraging one another and spreading the Good News. The time is short but the harvest is plentiful. 

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It seems that we live in dark times. Everywhere we look there is worry, fear, and sadness. There is a lack of joy and piece. There is a real fear of the unknown. If we let it, this darkness will overtake us, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

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To many the lyrics of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” seem like a novelty in the vein of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” We are going to take a deeper dive into the hidden meaning of the lyrics of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… a partridge in a pear tree.

The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas. Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge, the only bird that will die to protect its young.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… two turtledoves.

These twin birds represent the Old and New Testaments where we find the complete story of our faith and God’s plan for the world.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… three French hens.

These birds represent faith, hope, and love. This gift hearkens back to 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter written by the apostle Paul.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… five gold rings.

The gift of the rings represents the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… six geese a-laying.

These lyrics come from the first story found in the Bible. Each egg is a day in creation, a time when the world was “hatched” or formed by God.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me… seven swans a-swimming.

This one is a bit trickier with the seven gifts represent the gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. As swans are one of the most beautiful and graceful creatures on earth, they would seem to be a perfect symbol for spiritual gifts.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… eight maids a-milking.

As Christ came to save even the lowest of the low, this gift represents the ones who would receive his word and accept his grace. Being a milkmaid was one of the worst jobs one could have at the time. Jesus cared as much about servants as he did those of royal blood. The eight who were blessed included the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… nine ladies dancing.

These nine dancers represent the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… ten lords a-leaping.

This is probably the easiest gift to understand. As lords were judges and in charge of the law, represents the Ten Commandments.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… eleven pipers piping.

This is almost a trick question, as most think of the disciples in terms of a dozen. But when Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide, there were only eleven men who carried out the gospel message.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… twelve drummers drumming.

The drummers are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed. “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. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:34 — 8.2MB)

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