12 Days of Christmas – 2nd Gift
Originally Posted December 15, 2013
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a traditional song for the holiday season. Each day in the song lists a different gift received over the course of the celebration. Over the hundreds of years this song has been sung, the gifts have varied some, a few have changed position in the lineup, and a couple have been renamed due to the archaic terms originally used. However, none seem to have any real meaning except for joyful irreverence during the Christmas season.
The second gift we sing about is a Turtle Dove. What spiritual meaning can we derive from the common bird given in this second gift?
Look to Matthew 10. In this passage, Jesus sends forth the twelve unto the lost sheep of Israel. He does this in three steps:
Step #1 – He calls the twelve unto him, including Simon and Judas Iscariot.
Step #2 – He gives them power against unclean spirits as well as the power to heal all manner of sickness and disease.
Step #3 – He gives detailed instructions on how to perform the duties he requires of them.
The sixteenth verse in this passage speaks to our Christmas song specifically, for we are to be as harmless as doves.
What does that mean for us? Are we to be ineffectual, refusing to show ourselves boldly to the world as the redeemed of Christ?
No, absolutely not. Rather, Jesus intends that we do not give the world and the religious apostates of the world a chance to find fault with our Christian walk. We are to hold to the standard of Jesus, and let him shine brightly through our every word and deed.
We are the second gift unto the world, a Turtle Dove representing Jesus the Savior for humanity’s redemption.
When we follow Jesus’ example, we will be offensive to no one.
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Code: FD.FGO.J.26.13e.vp