The Twelve Days Of Christmas 
Twelve pictures, one for each of the 12 days of Christmas!
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a Partridge in a Pear Tree....
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The partridge in a pear tree is to represent Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem:
"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Two Turtle Doves
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The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Three French Hens
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The Three Hens represent the 3 theological virtues:
1) Faith
2) Hope
3) Love
(1 Corinthians 13:13)
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Four Calling Birds
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The four calling birds represent the four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Five Gold Rings
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The five rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Six Geese A-Laying
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The six geese represent the six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Seven Swans A-Swimming
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The seven swans represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Eight Maids A-Milking
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The eight maids a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Nine Ladies Dancing
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The Nine Ladies Dancing represent the nine fruit of the Holy Spirit:
1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness, 6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.
(Galatians 5:22)
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Ten Lords A-Leaping
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The ten lords a-leaping represent The Ten Commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Eleven Pipers Piping
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The Eleven Pipers represent the eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Twelve Drummers Drumming
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The twelve drummers represent the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed:
1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.
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If you want any futher information on Epiphany, or the Twelve days of Christmas, visit http://www.cresourcei.org/cy12days.html
Hope you've all enjoyed the series!
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