These Three (A Biblical Carol: The Twelve Days of Christmas)

Faith, hope, and love, These Three and the greatest is love, but the Theological Virtues altogether are essential to the Christian life. St. Paul's direction toward them emphasizes that these are the basics toward being gifted with both grace and The Spirit. From God's love, internally, faith and hope are produced. From faith, we have hope of eternal life. Indeed, within the realms of melodies, these three giftings are included in order to determine who is a believer and who is not. This was the case during Protestant England in the Middle Ages. Catholics were persecuted highly under the crown and to hide their confessions, but demonstrate their beliefs, they sang a song. This would become The Twelve Days of Christmas. Today, Advent popularizes this tune and familiar to us in casual circles of Christmas lovers, this series of counting down on days is known well. The third day, three French hens, becomes our symbolic representation for faith, hope, and love, as revealed by Scripture and by writers during a season of intense scrutiny. Even facing death, when reciting this imagery and the eleven others would communicate who belonged to Jesus and who belonged to the world. Preached for Mount Hope Church, for the sermon series: A Biblical Carol: The Twelve Days of Christmas, this message among others reminds us of the nature of what we give praise to God with. Many have walked through death in order to experience life in Our Lord, Who lost His life as the ransom of mankind. The 249th publication, coming down as the Incarnation did for humanity, may this word from God bearing His Word alone, be enough for the instruction, and reproof, and correction of those interested. Those living for Him, both as secret disciples and public followers, concerned with only knowing Christ and Him crucified.