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. During 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 eighth gift we sing about is Eight Maids-a-Milking. What spiritual meaning can we derive from the young women presented as a gift on the seventh day?
Look to 1 Corinthians 9:7. In this verse we find it is not so much the maids who draw the milk, but the milk itself that is important. Paul speaks of the rights of those who are in Christian leadership. If we demand more of our church leadership than we are willing to give ourselves, how is that acting with Christian love?
Paul tells us that those who tend the flock have the express right to share in the bounty of the milk. In real terms, if a congregation is financially blessed, then the pastor should share in that blessing.
How can we ensure that our church leaders are as blessed as we are? Here are three ways:
Blessing #1 – When we give our tithes, earmark an extra amount just for the pastor.
Blessing #2 – Pay attention to special events in the pastor’s life. Send anonymous gifts for family birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions such as graduations and holidays.
Blessing #3 – Invite the pastor to our family outings. Offer him the use of our vacation home. Make him a part of our lives.
The land of milk and honey is found in the love we share with those around us. Let’s be generous in sharing that love.
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