On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A Partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day - two turtledoves
On the third day - three french hens
On the fourth day - four colly birds (see yesterday's blog)
And now today...
On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me,
Finally something other than a bird! Right?
Unfortunately No, it's still a bird.
The writer/composer had in mind the ring necked pheasant that was highly prized for both it's beauty and taste!
The song is usually sung as "five golden rings" instead of the correct words: "five gold rings"
So, what did they have in mind that this was to represent for children to learn?
The Five Gold Rings represent the Pentateuch - the first five books of the Bible, the books of Moses - which serve as a record of God's character and his desire for a nation who's identity is set in Him. Think about all that relates to knowing these books as representing the character of God.
Deuteronomy 4:5-9 (NIV)
5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me..
6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations...
...what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?
9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV)
17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
John 1:17 (NIV)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:19-24 (NIV)
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
In Christ Jesus we have the law embodied in all of God's grace and truth...two essential ways to approach what God says.
Peace
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