On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Five Gold Rings
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.

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

"Roots" was a mini series that came out in 1977. It shows the history of a man named Kunta Kinte who was abducted from his village in Africa, sold into slavery and taken to America. 85% of America watched it on their television sets. African-Americans identified with Kunta Kinte. This was the history of their ancestors, where they had come from, and they could then be even prouder of where they had arrived, what they had become.

The Torah is a history of where all humanity has come from, beginning with Creation and the Garden of Eden. It shows how sin entered the world and how God has graciously tried to woo His people back to Himself. It is our history.

The word Torah actually means teaching or instruction. We can learn much from its pages. I wonder if 85% of America has read it. I wonder if 85% of Christians have read it.

Let us not forget where we have come from and the price that God paid to bring us to where we are today.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Four Calling Birds
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.

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

Four different men confirm through their writings the truth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If only one had written the story, we might have cause to question but this is not the case.

Four different views of the same man and yet no disharmony as to the facts so that all might believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

The word “gospel” means “good news!”

Luke 2:10 (NASB) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

Romans 1:16 (NASB) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Three French Hens
The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

Look around at the virtue put before you every day on television, in the books you read, in the friends that you converse with, on the computer or anything else that comes into your life…And see if there be any good thing in them, any virtue.

Philippians 4:8 (NASB) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Two Turtle Doves
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.

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute.

Quoted from the website... http://www.crivoice.org/cy12days.html

How fortunate we are to have God’s Word! It has within its pages everything we need for life.

2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 (NASB) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) ¹²For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

JESUS

Quoted from the website... http://www.crivoice.org/cy12days.html

By Dennis Bratcher

The origin of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures (see Christmas). In the Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came. In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, or el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag).

The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children. However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Faith. They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn.

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. 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)

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

Some traditions observe the day after Christmas as the 1st day of Christmas with the 12th day of Christmas being "Epiphany" or the time when it is said that the Wise Men visited the Christ Child. That is the time table that we will be following.

For unto you

is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is

Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (KJV)

Merry Christmas

WAIT

The presents are wrapped, or at least most of them, and placed under the tree if not in the mail to their final destinations. There is only one more day until Christmas. Some of us are better at waiting than others. Some exhibit patience, some excitement and still others display both as they await the arrival of the “big event.”

Is it excitement about the presents or an eagerness to say “Happy Birthday, Jesus?” I’m hoping the latter, but understand the reality, especially for the young ones, about the eagerness to open their presents.

Perhaps they would understand better if we related to the young ones why we are excited about His birthday and how the anticipation of opening an earthly present relates to the blessed hope we have of “unwrapping” eternity with our Savior.

In any case, we wait…one more day…to celebrate Christ’s birth.

Perhaps your thoughts are poised toward the coming again of our precious Savior to the earth.

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

What will you do while you wait? Do you tell other people why you are anxiously awaiting the return of your Savior, Jesus Christ?

All year long, we face situations and decisions that affect our lives. We can either rely upon God for His guidance or make decisions based on or own thoughts and desires. Regardless of the importance of the decision, we are better off waiting for Gods timing.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…