It just so happens this blog is posted on Wednesday, December 14th. There are twelve days until Christmas. Nobody gives “French hens” or “turtle doves” anymore, so I thought I would reinvent the familiar Christmas song for my readers today. If a Christian wrote this song for the holiday season, what might those lyrics be?
Twelve Days of Christ’s Birth
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me: a baby in a manger.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me: two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me: three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: four shepherds kneeling, three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: five golden words, four shepherds kneeling, three wise me traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: six days for giving, five golden words; four shepherds kneeling, three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: seven peace-filled moments, six days for giving, five golden words, four shepherds kneeling, three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: eight needs for meeting, seven peace-filled moments, six days for giving, five golden words, four shepherds kneeling, three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: nine souls who’re dancing, eight needs for meeting, seven peace-filled moments, six days for giving, five golden words, four shepherds kneeling, three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: ten friends to think of, nine souls who’re dancing, eight needs for meeting, seven peace-filled moments, six days for giving, five golden words, four shepherds kneeling, three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: eleven reasons for praising, ten friends to think of, nine souls who’re dancing, eight needs for meeting, seven peace-filled moments, six days for giving, five golden words, four shepherds kneeling, three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: twelve months to plan for, eleven reasons for praising, ten friends to think of, nine souls who’re dancing, eight needs for meeting, seven peace-filled moments, six days for giving, five golden words, four shepherds kneeling, three wise men traveling, two parents praying with a baby in a manger.
I hope we will all spend the remaining twelve days of Christmas singing to “the reason for the season.” These are those five golden words: “I am the true vine” (John 15:1). Our “true love” is God, our Father. He proved his love to us by giving us Jesus, the baby in a manger, who was and is the “true vine.” Jesus made a promise to the apostles that remains our promise today. He said “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:9–11).
Wishing you and yours twelve days of Christmas joy!
Join us at www.christianparenting.org and chime in on this week’s discussion question: How do you emphasize to your children that Jesus is the central focus of Christmas?