January 5~ The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Today is January 5th (Also Known as “Twelfth Night”) - Happy "Twelfth Day of Christmas"!

Today we think about the “Twelve Drummers Drumming” which represent the Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostles' Creed:

1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave].
5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7) I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8) the holy catholic Church,
9) the communion of saints,
10) the forgiveness of sins,
11) the resurrection of the body,
12) and life everlasting.

Today we contemplate the importance of a sound doctrine (orthodoxy).  Yet we also recognise  the necessity of having a sound Christian walk (orthopraxy), as evidenced by love of God and love of others (by Jesus' own definition).

We contemplate the importance of showing those inside the family of Christ and those NOT YET inside the family LOVE.

We ask ourselves: “Do I live the Gospel I claim?...and… 
"If they came to arrest me for being a Follower of Jesus- would there be enough evidence to convict me?” ...and...

"Did my behavior point to Jesus?"

~PRAYER~

 

Father God, Thank You for Being Our TRUE LOVE...

Thank you for unfolding the story of THE GOSPEL (THE GOOD NEWS)

to our broken, undeserving world.

Thank you for giving us solid truths to believe in.

Among all the "truths" that we seek to memorize and understand,

Help us to keep your son, THE TRUTH, Jesus

ever in the forefront of our minds.

Help us to live by him and in him and through him;

Help us to follow in His WAY.

Above all... 

help us to have eyes that see beyond the trappings of religion...

hearts that see the truth...

and lives dedicated to the King and furthering His Kingdom.

~AMEN~