Ninth Day of Christmas

“On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…nine ladies dancing.”

Scripture

Psalm 37:1-9; Galatians 5:16-26

For Reflection

Long awaited, Christmas Day came and went.  We lingered in its afterglow and looked forward to the New Year holiday.  Yesterday we enjoyed the first day of the year with a day off, the last of the season.  Today we look at a calendar that stretches before us with two full months of winter.  And yet we are still being equipped for this season of the spirit.  We are still receiving gifts on our way to Epiphany.  What we receive and incorporate into our lives may be invaluable for the journey ahead.

Behold today’s gift: a gracious fruit basket, the very finest quality and choice selections.  Unconditional love.  Surpassing joy.  Abiding peace.  Longsuffering patience.   Generous kindness.  Genuine goodness.  Sensitive gentleness.  Unflagging faithfulness.  Heart-guarding self-control.  Savor each one.  They are yours, every one.  Not something to strive toward, attain to, earn, or hope for.  They are part and parcel with the very Christian Spirit.

Unlike the gifts of the Spirit, which may be given diversely and selectively, all believers are graced with all the fruit of the Spirit.  Gifts of the Spirit are given as needed for unity in the body and for creating community.  But the fruit of the Spirit are core qualities given to every believer.  Gifts of the Spirit may come and go; the fruit of the Spirit are constant.

The extent to which this fruit are flourishing in our lives depends, in part, on how effective we are in dealing with what the Apostle Paul describes as “the sinful nature.”  The fruit of the Spirit is in sharp contrast to the acts of the sinful nature.  In Romans 7-8, Paul makes it clear that there is a major conflict between the sinful nature and the Spirit.  Demanding gratification for insatiable desires, the sinful nature leads one down a path of shame, self-destruction, and community chaos.  But there is a way of out of this trap: “Those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

The other part in letting the fruit of the Spirit flourish in our lives is to “live by the Spirit,” be “led by the Spirit,” and “keep in step with the Spirit.”  The answer to the debauchery and topsy-turvy life led by the sinful nature is not the law.  Law-ish living sets up a façade that appears civil and righteous, but it is unable to contain, quell, or redirect warring passions.  The invitation to live by the Spirit is a way of the heart caught and taught as we draw near to God in faith.  We turn away from the demands of the sinful nature; we turn toward Christ and find our identity, belonging, and life-leadership in him.  As we let go of that which cannot change or save us, we wholeheartedly embrace the love of Christ that will never let us go and never cease to draw out the best in us.

The fruit of the Spirit are gifts for personal growth and for making a difference in the world.  Remember the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury pardon, etc.”?  Living in or by the Spirit frees us from pettiness and self-absorption; we are free to look upward, outward, to serve, to care, to mend, to bridge.  And as we do, the fruit feeds us.  Love begets love.  Joy sows joy.  Gentleness begets gentleness.  These nine ladies dancing may well sweep us off our feet and into such a dance that we will never be satisfied standing on the sidelines again.

Journaling/prayer possibilities:

Reflect on this dynamic of turning away from the sinful nature and being led by the Spirit.  How is this essential conflict being resolved in your journey of faith?  Consider the fruit of the Spirit as essential resources given to you to make faith and discipleship possible; receive each one afresh.  Also imagine them as an ever-ready resource in the daily opportunities of decisions, relationship-building, conflict resolution, negotiations, etc.  Thank God for these gifts and for the opportunities to share them.

Song

“Eternal Life” by St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace:

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Benediction

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.  (Numbers 6:24-26)