Fifth Day of Christmas

“On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…five golden rings.”

Scripture

Psalm 98; Deuteronomy 6:10-25; 31:24-26; Romans 10:1-13

For reflection

The reality around our house is that, without this extended focus on the twelve days, Christmas would be receding into distant memory by now. But here it is the fifth day of Christmas and we are anticipating yet another gift on the journey to Epiphany. Granted, this way of observing Christmas does not have hyped anticipation. Instead, there is a gentle, persistent remembrance and insight into the Word become flesh that is inviting and instructive.

Open the gifts given to you today by your True Love: Five gold rings: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. They are known in Judaism as the Torah, or Pentateuch. Together they are what is referred to in both the Old and New Testaments as the Law. This is the backbone and skeletal structure of the Biblical community of faith. It is the plumb line in an idolatrous and crooked world. It is the narrative and standard for much of what has held Western civilization together for millennia.

The Law is not so much “law” as it is a woven story of faith in which a covenant between the Hebrew people and Yahweh is developed, solidified, interpreted, and applied. This people without identity or land, this people who were slaves in Egypt, find identity (Israel), deliverance (the Exodus), and a home (Canaan, roughly contemporary Palestine). The common denominator in the formation of Israel is faith in and obedience to one unseen God, who is revealed as Yahweh, or I Am.

Genesis traces the roots of a chosen and faith-formed people. Exodus walks us through slavery in Egypt, miraculous deliverance, and the formation of the Sinai covenant. Leviticus outlines the terms of the covenant, establishing everything from the calendar to minutia regarding food preparation. Numbers takes great pains to name every tribe and family; it creates a sense of community, belonging, and relationship. Deuteronomy renews the Sinai covenant as the nation prepares to enter Canaan after forty years of wandering in the desert.

How the people of Israel live in light of Torah is the subject of much of the rest of Bible. The historical narratives (Joshua through Esther) tell of the rising and falling of Israel based on adherence to or apostasy from the Law. The prophets (Isaiah through Malachi) are essentially passionate pleas for Israel to voluntarily return to live within the terms of the covenant, within which there would be joy and shalom. The New Testament is about rescuing the Law from legalism and vain traditions and of the fulfillment of Torah in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul declares, “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).

So much of what it means to live by faith is learned from the Pentateuch. Abraham took God at God’s word and it was credited to him as righteousness. Joseph first survived then thrived by faith. Moses led people out of slavery in Egypt singularly by faith in the promises of God. The invitation made to these ancient people was extended to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph. It’s extended to us, too.

Journaling/prayer possibilities

Reflect or read again of one of the “faith heroes” in the Pentateuch: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, etc. Note how simple and daily responses of faith to God’s counsel have become larger than life, formative for generations. What simple invitations to “walk by faith and not by sight” are presented to you daily? What “mini idols compete” with God for reliance for need satisfaction or security? What simple but profound decisions can you make to set these aside, to challenge your fears, and to live by faith? What would it mean to accept the gift of the Pentateuch today?

Song

O God, Who Called the Hebrews by Melvin Farrell, S.S.

O God, who called the Hebrews once of old

To follow Moses to the Promised Land,

This day you gather us, your chosen fold,

To lead us heavenward in Christ’s command:

As then you saved your race from slavery,

So now from Evil’s bondage make us free.

On Sinai Moses held a sacred feast

To offer homage when your voice was heard,

So we assemble here with Christ, our Priest,

That we may worship and embrace your Word:

O God who taught your chosen flock to pray,

Look kindly on our sacrifice today.

Benediction

O merciful heart of God, grant me yet again Your forgiveness. Hear my sorrowful tale and in Your great mercy blot it out from the book of Your remembrance. Give me faith so to lay hold of Your own holiness and so to rejoice in the righteousness of Christ my Savior that, resting on His merits rather than on my own, I may more and more become conformed to His likeness, my will becoming one with His in obedience to Yours. All this I ask for His holy name’s sake. Amen. (from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie)

Graphic by Raette (www.artbyraette.com)