Did you miss the Introduction and first 6 Days of the 12 Days of Christmas Blog & Reflections? *Read days 1-6 here.
The 7th Day of Christmas: Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
“On the Seventh Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me seven swans a-swimming.” These seven swans represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The nature of a gift is something freely given, without expecting anything in return. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
Reflect today on which of these virtues the Holy Spirit has blessed you with. Also pray about which you should seek to grow in. To conclude your reflection/ prayer time, pray the prayer to the Holy Spirit:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The 8th Day of Christmas: The Beatitudes
“On the Eighth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking.” The eight maids represent the eight Beatitudes Jesus gave us during the Sermon on the Mount.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Today read Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, and imagine yourself there. What would you feel interiorly? Convicted of change? Ashamed? Joyful? Reflect also on how to put one or two of the beatitudes into practice. Consider doing this as a family or with friends.
The 9th Day of Christmas: Fruits of the Holy Spirit
“On the Ninth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine ladies dancing.” The nine ladies represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit are joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You may be thinking, “Wait, hold the phone, wasn't day seven about the gifts of the Holy Spirit?! What's the difference?” I’m so glad you asked! The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to us (isn't that so nice?!) while the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit are cultivated in us during our journey to Heaven and reflect the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
Reflect today on how the gifts of the Holy Spirit help foster the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Which of the fruits do you feel working in your life? Which one(s) are you feeling called to cultivate more deeply?
The 10th Day of Christmas: The Ten Commandments
“On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten lords a-leaping.” These ten lords represent the Ten Commandments.
I am the Lord your God: You shall not have strange gods before me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain.
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
Today reflect on the call of all Christians to mirror the very life of Christ. The way he loves, the way he serves. Where does your life align with Christ and the Ten Commandments? What areas allow room for growth?
The 11th Day of Christmas: Eleven Faithful Apostles
“On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping.” The eleven pipers symbolize the eleven faithful apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the Younger, Simon, and Jude.
Reflect today on the lives of the apostles. First, ask yourself how you would have responded to Christ’s call to be an apostle. Then reflect on the journey the apostles took with Christ. Know that while we are not physically able to journey with Christ from town to town or to his cross, we are meant to be students of his and continue to share the Gospel with those around us.
The 12th Day of Christmas: Articles of the Apostle’s Creed
“On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming.” The twelve drummers represent the twelve points of doctrine within the Apostle’s Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
On the third day, he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
Reflect today on the tradition and doctrine on which our faith is built. Keep those reflections in mind as you pray the Apostles Creed at mass on Sundays.
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*Note: Tomorrow is the Feast of the Epiphany, the day the Holy Family was visited by the three Magi. Take time today to reflect on the gift you would have given baby Jesus in the manger. What gifts can you continue giving him? To learn more about and reflect on the Feast of the Epiphany, read our blog here.
Emma Pourciau is a student at Franciscan Missionary of Our Lady University (Fran U) in Baton Rouge, LA. She is pursuing a Nursing major with minors in Theology and Ethics. Emma is passionate about moral theology, holistic care, and upholding women's dignity and co-authored the book “Fiat 40 Journal: A Women’s 40 Day Journey to Renewal, Restoration, and Redemption.” She plans to pursue a career in Women’s Health.
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