The Carpenter's Plows: Finding Glory in Ordinary Work at Year's End

Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. As we near the end of 2025, I want to talk about something many of us are feeling right now but might not want to admit. For some of you, this hasn't been the year you hoped for. Maybe you're out of work or underemployed. Maybe finances are tighter than you expected. Maybe the holidays feel heavy instead of joyful because you can't afford what you wish you could give your family. Maybe you're doing work that feels beneath you, work that seems insignificant or even demeaning.

If that's where you are, I want to share something with you today that might change how you see your circumstances. It's a reflection from Chuck Colson about Jesus—not about His miraculous ministry or His glorious resurrection, but about the thirty years He spent doing ordinary, manual labor in a carpenter's shop in Nazareth.

[Jesus the carpenter - the forgotten years]

Colson begins: "When we think of Jesus, we tend to focus on His birth or His last three years on this earth. But we should also remember that Jesus spent most of His life engaged in manual labor."

Think about that! Jesus lived approximately thirty-three years on earth. But He only had a public ministry for about three years—from roughly age 30 to 33. What was He doing for the first thirty years? He was growing up and then working as a carpenter, working with wood and stones (most likely). Making plows, yokes, furniture, tools, perhaps even helping build houses. Day after day, year after year, Jesus did ordinary manual labor.

Colson shares a fascinating detail: "Back in Galilee in the second century, the Christian apologist Justin Martyr said that during his lifetime it was still common to see farmers using plows made by the carpenter Jesus of Nazareth."

[The quality of His work - plows that lasted]

Think about what that means! More than a hundred years after Jesus made those plows, farmers were still using them. They were so well-made, so durable, so excellent in craftsmanship that they lasted for generations. Theologian Os Guinness, in his book "The Call," asks us to consider this: "How intriguing to think of Jesus' plow rather than His Cross—to wonder what it was that made His plows and yokes last and stand out."

Jesus didn't just slap together functional plows. He made them with excellence, with care, with attention to detail. He made them to last. Why? Because even in the ordinary work of carpentry, Jesus was glorifying God. He was serving people. He was doing His Father's will.

[Our tendency - exalting spiritual over manual]

But Colson points out our problem: "Today, Christians typically exalt spiritual work above manual work. After all, what's making a plow compared with preaching to multitudes, feeding the five thousand, or raising someone from the dead?"

We do this, don't we? We think pastors and missionaries are doing "real" ministry while those who work in offices, factories, restaurants, or homes are just... working. We think spiritual work matters to God while manual or ordinary work is somehow less significant. We elevate some callings while looking down on others.

But Colson challenges this thinking: "But the very fact that Jesus did make plows—and made them well—suggests that any work can be done to the glory of God. Any work can be a genuine calling."

[What is a calling? - God's summons to service]

Guinness defines calling as anything we do "as a response to God's summons and service." It's not limited to pastors or missionaries. When God calls you to some task—even if it's something the world sees as lowly—that task is invested with what Guinness calls "the splendor of the ordinary."

Are you changing diapers? That's a calling if you're doing it in response to God. Are you working at a checkout counter? That's a calling. Are you driving a truck, teaching children, cleaning offices, entering data, serving food? If you're doing it as unto the Lord, it's a genuine calling invested with splendor.

[Drudgery transformed - done for God]

Guinness writes something profound: "Drudgery done for ourselves or for other human audiences will always be drudgery, but drudgery done for God is lifted and changed."

Let that sink in. The same task—the same tedious, repetitive, unglamorous work—can be either soul-crushing drudgery or meaningful service to God, depending on who you're doing it for. If you're just clocking in to make money, if you're just trying to impress your boss, if you're just working to gain status—it will feel like drudgery. But if you're doing it as unto the Lord, offering it up as worship, seeing it as your calling from God—it's transformed!

Colossians 3:23-24 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

[Discipleship in the ordinary - accepting humble tasks]

Colson continues: "Accepting drudgery is one of the ways we practice discipleship—learning to offer it up sacrificially to God."

This is crucial, especially at the end of a difficult year. Maybe you didn't get the promotion you hoped for. Maybe you lost the job you loved and had to take something less desirable. Maybe you're doing work that doesn't match your education or your dreams. But what if this is exactly where God has you right now for a purpose? What if accepting this "drudgery" is part of your discipleship—your spiritual formation?

God is more interested in transforming your character than in making you comfortable. He's more concerned with your holiness than your happiness. And sometimes, He uses humble, ordinary work to shape us into the image of Christ.

[Jesus's example - towels not spotlights]

Guinness writes: "We look for the big things to do—[but] Jesus took a towel and washed the disciples' feet. We like to speak and act out of the rare moments of inspiration—[but] He requires our obedience in the routine, the unseen, and the thankless."

We want the spotlight. We want the impressive ministry. We want to be known, celebrated, significant. But Jesus washed feet. Jesus made plows. Jesus did the ordinary, the routine, the unseen, the thankless—and He did it with excellence, as worship to His Father.

Colson concludes: "We, His followers, must be willing to take on the humble and thankless tasks as well—and not become impatient with changing diapers, doing homework, or taking out the trash."

[Application for difficult year-ends - when it's not what you hoped]

So let me speak directly to those of you who are struggling as this year ends. Maybe you're out of work and spending the holidays wondering how you'll provide. Maybe you're working two jobs just to make ends meet. Maybe you're doing work you feel is beneath you—work you never imagined you'd be doing at this stage of life. Maybe you can't afford the Christmas you wish you could give your family.

I want you to hear this: If you are frustrated in your job or think the work you have to do is beneath you, just remember that for thirty years, the One who turned water into wine and raised the dead to life...made wooden plows.

Jesus—the Creator of the universe, the Word who spoke galaxies into existence, the Savior who would die on the cross and rise from the dead—spent most of His earthly life doing manual labor. He wasn't "too good" for carpentry. He didn't consider it beneath Him. He made plows with such excellence that they were still being used a century later.

[No work is beneath you if it wasn't beneath Jesus]

If carpentry wasn't beneath Jesus, then no honest work is beneath you. If the King of Kings could serve as a carpenter for many years before His three-year ministry, then you can serve faithfully in whatever work God has given you right now—even if it's not what you hoped for, even if it's not what you trained for, even if it's not what you think you deserve.

The question isn't "Is this work worthy of me?" The question is "Can I do this work as unto the Lord? Can I offer this as worship? Can I serve faithfully here until God moves me elsewhere?"

[Trusting God's timing - the carpenter became the Savior]

And remember: Jesus didn't stay a carpenter forever. For thirty years, He lived and worked in relative obscurity in Nazareth. But when the time was right, God called Him to His public ministry. The carpenter became the preacher. The plowmaker became the miracle worker. The humble craftsman became the Savior of the world.

Your current season may not be your permanent season. God may have bigger plans for you. But even if He doesn't—even if He calls you to faithful service in ordinary work for the rest of your life—that work matters! It has eternal significance if it's done for His glory!

[Practical encouragement - five ways to glorify God in ordinary work]

Let me give you five practical ways to glorify God in your work during this difficult season. First, do your work with excellence, as Jesus did. Even if no one else notices, even if you're not appreciated, make your "plows" well. Let your work quality be your witness.

Second, serve the people around you—your coworkers, your customers, your family. Jesus's plows served farmers. Your work, whatever it is, serves people. See it as ministry, not just a job.

Third, offer your work as worship. Start each day by consciously dedicating your work to God. Pray: "Lord, I offer this day's work to You as an act of worship. Help me do it as unto You, not for human approval."

Fourth, trust God's provision and timing. He knows your needs. He knows your desires. He knows your frustrations. Trust that He has you where you are for a reason, and He'll move you when the time is right. Matthew 6:31-33: "Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Fifth, remember that your identity is in Christ, not in your job. You are not defined by what you do or how much you make. You are a child of God, redeemed by Christ's blood, filled with His Spirit, and called to bring Him glory in whatever you do.

[The holidays and financial stress - practical help]

Now, let me speak specifically to those struggling financially during the holidays. If you can't afford the Christmas you wish you could give, remember: Jesus was born in a stable. The King of Kings had a feeding trough for His first bed. His parents brought the offering of the poor to the temple—two turtledoves instead of a lamb—because they couldn't afford more.

Your children don't need expensive gifts to experience the joy of Christmas. They need your presence, your love, your faith. Tell them the story of Jesus. Sing carols together. Bake simple treats. Focus on the incarnation—God becoming man to save us—not on materialism.

And if you're alone during the holidays, struggling financially and emotionally, remember that Jesus knows loneliness. He knows poverty. He knows what it's like to be misunderstood and undervalued. He's with you in your struggle.

[Looking toward 2026 - hope for the new year]

As we move from 2025 into 2026, some of you are hoping for change—a new job, better circumstances, financial breakthrough. Those are good hopes, and it's appropriate to pray for them. But even if circumstances don't change immediately, your perspective can change today.

You can choose to see your ordinary work—whatever it is—as a calling from God. You can choose to offer your "drudgery" as worship. You can choose to make your "plows" with excellence, even if no one but God notices.

Let me pray: 

Remember: The One who made plows that lasted for generations is the same One who holds your life in His hands. Trust Him. Serve faithfully where you are. And know that no work is insignificant if it's done for the glory of God.

Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, and do all your work as unto the Lord!

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Out of Egypt: The Holy Family's Flight and the Church of the Martyrs

Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I want to share something that connects the Christmas story to one of the oldest and most persecuted Christian communities in the world—the Coptic Church of Egypt. It's a story that begins with the Holy Family's flight to Egypt to escape King Herod's murderous rage, and it continues through 2,000 years of Egyptian Christianity marked by both triumph and tremendous suffering.

Let me start by reading from Matthew 2:13-15: "Now when they (the wise men) had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Rise, take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the Child to destroy Him.' And he rose and took the Child and His mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet (Hosea 11:1), 'Out of Egypt I called My Son.'"

[The deeper meaning - Ferguson's insights]

Now, most of us know this story as part of the Christmas narrative. The wise men visit Jesus, they don't return to Herod, and Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety. But theologian Sinclair B. Ferguson, in his book "The Dawn of Redeeming Grace," helps us see something much deeper happening here.

Ferguson writes: "The point in this story of Egyptian exile is about Jesus' identity; for later, once Herod was dead, Jesus would be brought out of Egypt, and thus fulfill Hosea 11:1...which reflects on the rescue of God's people - His 'son' Israel - from slavery in Egypt."

Do you see what Matthew is doing? He's showing us that Jesus is reliving Israel's history—but this time, doing it perfectly. Israel went down to Egypt as a family (Jacob and his sons during the famine), grew into a nation there, and then God called them out through Moses in the Exodus. Now Jesus—God's true Son—goes down to Egypt as a child and is called out, fulfilling what God had always intended through Israel's story.

[The pattern of exodus - Jesus as the fulfillment]

Ferguson continues: "In Matthew's account of their escape to Egypt, 'there are echoes of the story told in Genesis and Exodus. A family goes down into Egypt; a child is rescued from a wicked ruler; he grows up and leads his people out of their bondage; they pass through the waters of the sea; they are tested in the wilderness; eventually they reach the borders of the promised land.'"

Think about those parallels! Moses was rescued from Pharaoh's order to kill Hebrew boys. Jesus was rescued from Herod's order to kill baby boys in Bethlehem. Moses led Israel through the Red Sea. Jesus would be baptized in the Jordan River. Israel was tested in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days. Israel entered the Promised Land. Jesus would lead His people to the ultimate promised land—eternal life with God.

Ferguson writes: "These events are like a shadow cast backwards into history from the life of the Lord. He is the reality. He is the true Son of God who was called out of Egypt; He would go through the waters in His baptism in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:1-17); He would be tested in the wilderness (4:1-11)."

[The greater exodus - eternal salvation]

Here's what Matthew is telling us: "In Jesus a greater exodus has begun." The first exodus delivered Israel from physical slavery in Egypt. But Jesus came to accomplish a far greater exodus—deliverance from spiritual slavery to sin, Satan, and death.

Ferguson notes that 30 years later, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus discussed with Moses and Elijah the "departure"—literally the "exodus" in Greek (Luke 9:31)—that He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. "This true and final exodus would not be a physical deliverance from an earthly pharaoh. It would be deliverance from Satan, and from the guilt, and power, and shame of sin."

So Jesus being taken to Egypt wasn't just about His safety—though it was that. It was about fulfilling a divine pattern, filling up a prophecy that God had written into Israel's history to point forward to the ultimate salvation Jesus would bring. As Ferguson beautifully concludes: "Now there is no earthly danger, worldly power, or spiritual snare that His people need to fear. Everywhere we look into this story, we discover that it is all about salvation. That is its central message. That is the Christmas message. And it is our greatest need."

[Where Jesus went in Egypt - the tradition]

Now, according to ancient Coptic Christian tradition, the Holy Family didn't just briefly pass through Egypt—they spent several years there, perhaps as long as three years. Coptic tradition identifies numerous sites in Egypt where the Holy Family stayed, creating a "Holy Family Trail" that Coptic Christians have venerated for centuries.

They traveled south along the Nile, and tradition says they stopped at places like Matariya (where a tree is said to have bowed to Jesus), Old Cairo (where the Church of Abu Serga now stands, built over a cave where they supposedly sheltered), and even as far south as Assiut. Whether all these specific sites are historically accurate, we can't know for certain. But what we do know is that Egypt became a refuge for the infant Christ—and later, Egypt became home to one of the strongest early Christian communities in the world.

[Christianity comes to Egypt - Mark the Evangelist]

According to tradition, Christianity was brought to Egypt by Mark the Evangelist—the same Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark—around 42-43 AD. Mark is said to have established the Church of Alexandria, which became one of the most important centers of early Christianity, rivaling Rome, Antioch, and Constantinople.

Alexandria had a massive Jewish population, and the Gospel spread first among these Jews, then to native Egyptians. By the 2nd century AD, Christianity was growing rapidly in Egypt. The Coptic Church—"Coptic" comes from the Greek word for Egypt—developed as a distinctly Egyptian expression of Christianity, using the Coptic language (descended from ancient Egyptian) in their liturgy.

[The Desert Fathers - monasticism born in Egypt]

Egypt became the birthplace of Christian monasticism. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, believers fled to the Egyptian desert to devote themselves entirely to prayer, fasting, and spiritual warfare. Saint Anthony the Great (251-356 AD) is considered the father of monasticism. He sold all his possessions, moved to the desert, and spent decades in solitude seeking God. His example inspired thousands of others.

Saint Pachomius (292-348 AD) organized these hermits into communal monasteries. The Wadi El Natrun valley, west of the Nile Delta, became filled with monasteries—some of which still exist today, nearly 1,700 years later! Egyptian monasticism influenced all of Christianity. When missionaries like John Cassian brought monastic practices to the West, they were bringing traditions developed in the Egyptian desert.

[The golden age - Alexandria's influence]

By the 4th and 5th centuries, Alexandria was one of Christianity's greatest intellectual centers. The Catechetical School of Alexandria, founded in the 2nd century, produced brilliant theologians like Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Athanasius, and Cyril. These men shaped Christian theology, defended orthodoxy against heresies, and wrote commentaries on Scripture that we still read today.

Athanasius (296-373 AD), the great defender of Trinitarian orthodoxy, spent much of his life fighting the Arian heresy. His stand at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD helped establish the doctrine that Jesus is fully God, not a created being. The phrase "Athanasius contra mundum"—"Athanasius against the world"—describes how he stood alone for truth when nearly everyone else compromised.

[The Arab conquest - everything changes]

But in 641 AD, everything changed. Arab Muslim armies conquered Egypt, ending Byzantine Christian rule. At first, the new Muslim rulers were relatively tolerant—Christians were allowed to practice their faith as "dhimmis" (protected but second-class citizens) if they paid the jizya tax.

But over the centuries, pressure increased. Christians faced discrimination in employment, education, and legal matters. Converting to Islam brought social and economic advantages, so gradually the Christian population declined. Forced conversions occurred during periods of persecution. Churches were destroyed. By the 10th century, Arabic had replaced Coptic as the common language, even among Christians.

Despite this, the Coptic Church survived. But from being the majority religion of Egypt in 641 AD, Christians shrank to perhaps 10-15% of Egypt's population today—estimates range from 10-20 million Copts in a nation of 105 million.

[Modern persecution - the 20th and 21st centuries]

In modern times, Egyptian Christians have faced waves of severe persecution. Under Islamic extremism's rise in the late 20th century, attacks on Christians increased dramatically. Churches have been bombed. Christian villages attacked. Christian girls kidnapped, forced to convert to Islam, and married to Muslim men.

Some tragic examples: In 2011, a New Year's bombing at Saints Church in Alexandria killed 23 worshipers. In 2017, twin Palm Sunday bombings at churches in Tanta and Alexandria killed 47 and wounded over 100. That same year, ISIS militants attacked a bus carrying Coptic pilgrims, killing 29. In 2015, ISIS beheaded 21 Coptic Christians on a Libyan beach—their final words were "Lord Jesus Christ," and their martyrdom was captured on video that shocked the world.

Egyptian Christians face legal discrimination, difficulty building or repairing churches, barriers in education and employment, and social pressure. Yet they remain faithful. The Coptic Church has not abandoned Egypt, though hundreds of thousands have emigrated to escape persecution.

[Pope Shenouda III - a modern hero]

One of the greatest modern Coptic leaders was Pope Shenouda III (1923-2012), who served as Pope of Alexandria from 1971 to 2012. He strengthened the Coptic Church during incredibly difficult times, established churches for the Coptic diaspora worldwide, and boldly stood for his people's rights while calling them to forgiveness and faith.

When President Anwar Sadat tried to intimidate the church, Shenouda refused to back down and was exiled to a desert monastery for three years. His courage and spiritual depth made him beloved by Copts worldwide. At his funeral in 2012, hundreds of thousands gathered—a testimony to his impact.

[The church today - suffering yet faithful]

Today, the Coptic Church continues under Pope Tawadros II. Egyptian Christians still face persecution—church bombings still happen, discrimination continues, and extremists still attack Christian communities. Yet the church remains vibrant. Coptic monasteries in the desert still house monks devoted to prayer. Coptic liturgy, largely unchanged for centuries, still uses ancient Coptic alongside Arabic. Young Copts are rediscovering their faith and standing firm despite pressure.

The Coptic Church also has a missions vision. Coptic missionaries serve in other African nations, and the Coptic diaspora has established churches in North America, Europe, and Australia, bringing the ancient liturgy and spirituality of Egyptian Christianity to new lands.

[Lessons from Egypt - what we can learn]

So what can we learn from the Egyptian church's story? First, God's plans are bigger than we imagine. Who would have thought that Egypt—the land of Israel's slavery, the land from which God called His son—would become home to one of Christianity's strongest early churches? God had been preparing Egypt for the Gospel since the Holy Family fled there.

Second, faithfulness under persecution produces deep spirituality. The Egyptian Christians who endured 1,400 years of Islamic rule, discrimination, and periodic violence developed a profound faith. Their liturgy, their monasticism, their commitment to Christ despite the cost—these aren't shallow. This is faith forged in fire.

Third, ancient churches are still relevant. The Coptic Church traces its founding to Mark the Evangelist—they've been worshiping Jesus for nearly 2,000 years! We need their witness, their endurance, their connection to the early church. Western Christians can learn much from our ancient Egyptian brothers and sisters.

And fourth, the church Jesus founded will never be destroyed. For 2,000 years, enemies have tried to wipe out Egyptian Christianity. Yet it survives. Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." The Coptic Church is living proof of that promise.

[The greater exodus - back to Ferguson]

But let's return to where we started—with Sinclair Ferguson's reflections on Jesus being called out of Egypt. Jesus didn't go to Egypt just to find safety. He went to fulfill a pattern, to show that He is the true Israel, the true Son of God, who would accomplish the ultimate exodus.

And what is that ultimate exodus? It's deliverance from sin, from Satan, from death itself. Jesus accomplished that exodus through His death and resurrection in Jerusalem. And everyone who trusts in Him participates in that exodus—we are delivered from bondage to sin, we pass through the waters of baptism, we journey through the wilderness of this world, and we're heading toward the promised land of eternal life with God.

Ferguson writes: "Everywhere we look into this story, we discover that it is all about salvation. That is its central message. That is the Christmas message. And it is our greatest need. If only we would see it!"

[Personal application - our need for the greater exodus]

This Christmas, don't just celebrate a baby in a manger. Celebrate the greater exodus that baby came to accomplish! Celebrate that Jesus went to Egypt so He could be called out of Egypt, fulfilling prophecy. Celebrate that He lived the life we couldn't live and died the death we deserved. Celebrate that He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. Celebrate that through Him, we can be delivered from every spiritual bondage!

And pray for the Egyptian church—our brothers and sisters who still live in the land where Jesus found refuge as a child. Pray for their protection from persecution. Pray for their witness in a Muslim-majority nation. Pray for revival in Egypt. And support ministries that help persecuted Copts.

Thank you for joining me today. This reflection is based on Sinclair Ferguson's wonderful book "The Dawn of Redeeming Grace," and I encourage you to read it for deeper insights into the Christmas story.

Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations and celebrate the greater exodus Jesus accomplished!

Spotify podcast

The Hidden Catechism: The Christian Meaning Behind "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. As we celebrate this Christmas season, I want to share something with you that might change the way you hear one of the most famous Christmas carols of all time.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas"—you know it. Partridge in a pear tree, turtle doves, French hens, golden rings. But did you know that for centuries, Christians have used this song as a teaching tool to help children memorize core doctrines of the faith?

Now, let me be clear upfront. Historically, this song began as a secular memory-and-forfeit game—kind of like a musical version of "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing..." But over time, Christians recognized that each of these twelve gifts could represent something profound about our faith.

And whether or not this was originally intended as a secret code during persecution—which is a popular claim but historically unproven—the symbolism became a beloved way to teach children the essentials of Christianity in a playful, easy-to-recall format.

So today, I want to walk through each of the twelve gifts and show you the Christian meaning that has been traditionally associated with them.

Let's start with day one: "A Partridge in a Pear Tree."

This represents Jesus Christ Himself.

Now, you might be thinking, "A bird? How does that represent Jesus?" Here's the beautiful connection: The partridge was believed to be a bird willing to sacrifice its life to protect its young. When danger approached, the mother partridge would draw predators away from her chicks, even at the cost of her own life.

This is symbolic of Christ's sacrificial love on the cross. Jesus laid down His life to protect us, to save us, to draw the wrath of God away from us and onto Himself.

John 10:11 says, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

The partridge in the pear tree is Christ—the foundation of everything else in the song, just as Christ is the foundation of our faith.

Day two: "Two Turtle Doves."

These symbolize the Old and New Testaments—God's covenantal revelation to His people.

Just as a pair of doves are joined together, the Old and New Testaments are inseparable. The Old Testament points forward to Christ. The New Testament reveals Christ. Together, they give us the complete story of God's redemption.

Luke 24:27 tells us that Jesus, on the road to Emmaus, "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."

The two turtle doves remind us that all of Scripture testifies to Jesus.

Day three: "Three French Hens."

These represent the three theological virtues that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:13: Faith, Hope, and Love.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

These aren't just nice ideas—these are the foundation of the Christian life. We live by faith in Christ, we hope in His promises, and we love because He first loved us.

The three French hens teach our children that these virtues are essential, permanent, and beautiful.

Day four: "Four Calling Birds."

These represent the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The four calling birds—the four Gospel writers who call the world to Christ.

Each Gospel presents Jesus from a different angle. Matthew shows Him as King. Mark shows Him as Servant. Luke shows Him as the perfect Man. John shows Him as God.

Together, they give us a complete portrait of our Savior. And they're still calling today—calling people to repentance, calling people to faith, calling people to follow Jesus.

Day five: "Five Golden Rings."

This is probably the most recognizable line in the whole song, right? Everyone loves to belt out "FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!"

But what do they represent? The first five books of the Old Testament—the Pentateuch.

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

These books lay the foundation of God's story: creation, fall, covenant, and redemption. They teach us who God is, who we are, how sin entered the world, and how God began His plan to rescue humanity.

Golden rings are precious, valuable, foundational—just like these five books of Moses.

Day six: "Six Geese A-Laying."

These symbolize the six days of creation in Genesis 1.

God created the heavens and the earth in six days, and on the seventh day He rested. The geese laying eggs represent the creative work of God—bringing forth life, establishing order, filling the earth with His glory.

Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Everything we see, everything we enjoy, everything that exists came from the creative hand of God. The six geese remind us that we live in a created world, made by a loving Creator.

Day seven: "Seven Swans A-Swimming."

These represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, as traditionally listed in Isaiah 11:2-3.

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

These are the gifts that the Spirit gives to believers to equip us for life and ministry. We need wisdom to make good decisions. We need understanding to grasp spiritual truth. We need counsel to guide others. We need fortitude to endure trials.

The seven swans swimming gracefully remind us that the Holy Spirit moves in our lives, empowering us, equipping us, transforming us.

Day eight: "Eight Maids A-Milking."

These symbolize the Eight Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3-10.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit... Blessed are those who mourn... Blessed are the meek..." and so on.

The Beatitudes turn the world's values upside down. They tell us that God blesses the humble, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers.

The eight maids working faithfully represent believers living out these kingdom values—working, serving, embodying the character that Jesus described.

Day nine: "Nine Ladies Dancing."

These represent the nine fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.

When the Holy Spirit lives in us, He produces this fruit. Not through our effort, not through our striving, but through His presence and power in our lives.

The nine ladies dancing represent the joy and beauty that comes when the Spirit is working in us—when our lives display His character.

Day ten: "Ten Lords A-Leaping."

These represent the Ten Commandments.

The moral law that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. The foundation of how we're to love God and love our neighbor.

The ten lords leaping might seem like an odd image, but it reminds us that God's law is not burdensome—it's liberating. When we live according to God's design, we experience freedom and joy.

Psalm 19:8 says, "The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart."

Day eleven: "Eleven Pipers Piping."

These represent the eleven faithful apostles—the original twelve minus Judas, who betrayed Jesus.

After Judas' betrayal and death, eleven remained faithful. They were the ones who saw the risen Christ, who received the Great Commission, who went out and turned the world upside down with the Gospel.

The eleven pipers piping represent the sound of the Gospel going forth—the faithful witnesses proclaiming that Jesus is Lord.

Day twelve: "Twelve Drummers Drumming."

These refer to the Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostles' Creed.

"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth..."

The Apostles' Creed is one of the oldest and most widely used summaries of Christian belief. It covers creation, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, the church, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.

The twelve drummers drumming represent the steady, rhythmic proclamation of these foundational truths—truths that have sustained the church for two thousand years.

Now, friends, here's why this symbolism emerged and why it matters.

First, it gave children a simple memory framework. Kids could sing the song and, verse by verse, recall essential Christian doctrines.

Second, it aligned the twelve gifts with the Twelve Days of Christmas—the liturgical period from December 25th to January 6th, Epiphany. In case you are not familiar with Epiphany…it is a Christian feast day commemorating the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world, primarily marking the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus, symbolizing the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. It is also associated with the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, which revealed his divine identity as the Son of God, and the miracle at the wedding in Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle.

Third, this symbolism in the song reinforced key doctrines in a playful, easy-to-recall format. Instead of dry catechism lessons, children learned through song, through story, through imagery.

What I love about this is that it reminds us that Christians throughout history have been creative in passing down the faith.

We haven't just relied on formal education or boring lectures. We've used songs, stories, symbols, and celebrations to teach our children who God is and what He's done.

In an age when biblical literacy is declining, when fewer and fewer people know the basics of Scripture, maybe we need to recover this kind of creative catechesis.

So this Christmas, when you hear "The Twelve Days of Christmas," don't just think about partridges and pear trees. Think about Jesus. Think about Scripture. Think about the virtues, the Gospels, the commandments.

Teach your children. Sing with them. Help them see that every part of this song can point them to Christ.

And remember—Christmas is not just one day. It's twelve days. It's a season of celebrating the incarnation, the birth of our Savior, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us.

Thank you for joining me today. I hope this has given you a fresh appreciation for a song you've heard a thousand times.

Let me pray…

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, teach your children well, and remember—even a simple Christmas carol can proclaim the depths of our faith.

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