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Two turtle doves (the Old and New Testament)Tuesday, December 26, 2000
Matthew 10:17-22 In the song, Christ is presented as a mother partridge in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so..." Jesus spoke with confidence in most situations, but he seems to have been at his best when the chips were down. He opened his mouth, and out would come the words of God. He entreated his disciples to do the same, not to worry or overly plan what they would say but to let the Holy Spirit speak through them. God speaks through the writers of the Old and New Testament. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would speak through the disciples when they were in trouble with the authorities. I have confidence that he will also speak through me. Every day I pray at the beginning of counseling sessions, and then just wait for God's work to take place. Jesus asks us to lay our burdens on him, and he will give us rest. And he does. He speaks, He heals, He fulfills his promise to love and care for us. He shelters us from the storm. Lord, your word strengthens and heals us. It lifts us up and edifies us. It changes us so that we more closely resemble the people you created us to be. Lord, make me a pathway for your word in the lives of those around me. |
"The 12 Days of Christmas" was written in eighteenth century England. Researchers have uncovered evidence that the gifts described in the song had hidden meanings known only to English Catholics. It was illegal to be a Catholic in England between 1558 and 1829, but young people continued to learn their catechism, and this song may have served them as a memory aid which could be sung innocently, in public.