During the Christmas season this year, my family started a couple of new traditions. One tradition was reading the Advent book from The Biggest Story every night after dinner. This book isn’t just the journey of Mary and Joseph to the manger. This book actually goes into the prophecies that were told about the coming of Jesus. It was probably a little deeper than my girls could handle, but we started it, and over the years, more and more will sink into their hearts.
A few years ago, we started a Shepherd on a search for a shepherd, where they look for a shepherd each morning instead of an elf. On Christmas morning, the shepherd is to be placed under the tree where he has found the manger, the true meaning of Christmas. This year, I started the search for Finding Jesus. Along with hiding Sammy, our shepherd, I hid Jesus for the girls to find. Jesus has a pocket where a puzzle piece fits, and each day we put the puzzle piece in the frame and read the corresponding verse. On the 24th, we put in the last piece to reveal the picture of the baby in the manger. The girls loved searching for Sammy and Jesus.
Now that Christmas Day has passed and we aren’t searching for anyone each morning or reading our Advent book each night, I started feeling the pull to continue our short devotional readings at dinner. A sweet friend shared a post on Facebook that stated that Christmas lasts until the day of Epiphany, which triggered a memory about the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. It’s been said that The 12 Days of Christmas was written to help teach others about God. A quick Google search will pull up a lot of different explanations, but I am going to share one that I found and how I have tweaked it in order to fit our family devotional.
On the first day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree.–Jesus Christ
Yesterday we celebrated the birth of Christ. He is our Partridge in a Pear Tree. There is only one partridge, and there is only one God. As a mother partridge protects her young, so does Christ protect humanity.
Scripture: John 3:16 (NLT) “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for the indescribable gift of your Son. May we live with the confidence in knowing that you love us enough to save us through your son.
On the second day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, two turtle doves–The Old and New Testament
The Old and New Testaments are the two parts of the Bible. This is God’s love letter to his people. Through scripture, you see who God is, the character of God, his plan of salvation, and his love for his children. His promises are written in black and white, and when we call on his name and claim his promises, we grow closer to the Creator of the Universe, to our Elohim.
Scripture: Luke 24:25-27 (NLT) “Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory? Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
Prayer: God, as we study your word from cover to cover, may we see your hand writing your love story for us. Give us understanding as we read and open our eyes to the message we need to hear.
On the third day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, three French hens– Faith, Hope, Love
As we study God’s word, we see the themes running through Scripture: the themes of faith, hope, and love. The Bible stories we all know so well are filled with these themes. Stories like Moses and the Israelites, Abraham and Isaac, Daniel in the Lions Den, and David and Goliath. All are rich testimonies of God’s faithfulness, character, and plan.
Scripture—1 Corinthians 13:13 “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
Prayer- Father God, we thank you for showing us just how much you love us through the stories in the Bible. May we grow in our faith in you, live in hope of your returning, and show your love to others.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, four calling birds—the Gospels
The first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four books tell of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospels are also known as “Good News,” as Christians are called to “go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19), spreading the good news of Jesus and salvation.
Scripture-Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Prayer-Father God, thank you for your son, his life, death, and resurrection. Thank you for giving us a way to come to you and to be saved from our sins. Father, pour into us a spirit of boldness to confront the sin of the world and to spread the message of your word, our faith, and your salvation.
On the fifth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, Five Golden Rings-First Five Books of the Bible (the Pentateuch).
The first five books of the Bible are called the Pentateuch. These books detail the creation, law, and early history of the world and of God’s plan. It is the plan where we are first exposed to God’s plan of redemption from sin and how sin first entered into the world. We learn that God is the beginning of all things and that it is his power that created the world. In these books, we also learn of his law, his compassion, and his covenant.
Scripture- Psalm 19:7-10, “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.”
Prayer-Father God, we thank you for providing us with a history of the world, for teaching us your laws, and for sharing with us your covenant. As we study the first five books of the Bible, may we not only learn of your people but also of your grace and design. May we see the evidence of your plan and how it all points to Jesus from beginning to end.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, six geese a-laying–the six days of creation.
While we typically think of creation happening in seven days, God rested on the seventh, so the creation of the world happened in six days. This is a reminder of God’s perfect creation and provision. The geese a-laying represent new beginnings. Just as creation was a new beginning, God can give each of us a new beginning when we turn to him.
Scripture-Gensis 1:31 “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
Prayer- Father God, we thank you for your creation and for your gift of new beginnings. God we ask that you help us put to rest things that do not benefit your kingdom and give us a new start in glorifying you.
On the seventh day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, Seven Swans a-Swimming-Seven Gifts from the Holy Spirit
The gifts from the Holy Spirit include prophecy, serving others, teaching, encouraging others, giving, leadership, and showing kindness. When you are given these gifts, it is important that you use them; it is then that you are fulfilling God’s call on your life.
Scripture-Romans 12:6-8 “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Prayer-Father God, I pray that we recognize the spiritual gifts that you have given each of us and that we use them to the best of our ability. May we live up to the calling you have placed on our lives and glorify you in all that we do.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me eight maids a-milking.–the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes speak of character traits of being meek, humble, merciful, and of being a peacemaker. It is these characteristics that God says are blessed. When we lean into the blessed attributes, scripture tells us that our reward in heaven is great.
Scripture- Matthew 5:3-10:
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
Prayer- Father God, help us to embrace the attributes that you spoke about in the Beatitudes. May we learn to be humble, merciful, and peace makers so that we may inherit the Kingdom of God.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, nine ladies dancing—fruits of the Spirit
The nine ladies dancing represent the core values of a Christian: the fruits of the Spirit. These gifts are virtues that develop over time as we grow in our faith, walk, and relationship with God. As we develop these values, we begin to become more Christ-like which is our ultimate goal.
Scripture- Galatians 5:22-23
“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Prayer- Father God, as we walk with you, help us to develop the fruit that the Holy Spirit gives us. Lord, we want to be more like you, and we know that through your gifts we can draw others to you.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, ten lords a-leaping-ten commandments.
The ten lords a-leaping represent the ten commandments. The Ten Commandments were the first ten “laws” that were written down for God’s people. These laws are God’s rules for a moral life. When we live within the laws of God, we can “leap” in joyful obedience, for God’s laws are not prohibitive. list, but a moral compass that leads us to Heaven.
Scripture-Exodus 20:2-17
“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
You must not have any other god but me.
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected, even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day, no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
You must not murder.
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbors.”
Prayer- Father God, may we meditate on your laws day by day, record them on our hearts, and live within their boundaries. For your laws give us direction and lead us into a fulfilled life with you.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, eleven pipers pipping-the eleven faithful apostles.
The eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful apostles. Yes, there were twelve, but Judas betrayed Jesus. The apostles were the unwavering followers of Jesus and worked to spread the Good News after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
Scripture-Romans 10:14-15
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news?”
Prayer- Father God, may we follow the example of your apostles and spread the Good News to all. Father, we ask that you put someone in our path who needs to know more about you. May we be good stewards of your message of hope and salvation.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming-represent the twelve points of belief in the Apostle’s Creed.
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
crucified, dead, and buried,
and on the third day he rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the **holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Scripture-Isaiah 44:6
“This is what the Lord says- Israel’s King an dRedeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: “I am the First and the Last; there is no other God.”
Prayer- Father God, may we be confident in proclaiming our belief in you, in who you are, and in what you can do. May we boldly share your message and plan of salvation. May our life be a testimony of your grace and mercy and draw others unto you.
(**refers to the universal body of believers of Jesus Christ that spans across time and place.)
The 12 days after Christmas will take us to the Day of Ephiphany which is the day the Wise Men came to baby Jesus and realized that he is the Son of God.
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