Not a Thirteenth Day, but a Beginning The twelve days of Christmas do not end with answers. They end with a people gathered—marked by story, shaped by practice, learning how to live gently in a fractured world. Then comes Epiphany...
Broken Theology
Twelve Drummers Drumming
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming. The twelve drummers drumming have been linked both to the Twelve Tribes of Israel and to the Twelve Points of the Apostles’ Creed—two ways of speaking about a people held together by story, memory, and hope...
Eleven Pipers Piping
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping. The eleven pipers piping have traditionally been linked with the eleven remaining apostles—the witnesses who continued after betrayal, loss, and profound failure...
Ten Lords a-Leaping
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten lords a-leaping. The ten lords a-leaping have traditionally been linked with the Ten Commandments...
Nine Ladies Dancing
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing. The nine ladies dancing have often been associated with the Fruit of the Spirit..
Eight Maids a-Milking
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking. The eight maids a-milking are said to represent the Eight Beatitudes, spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount...
Seven Swans a-Swimming
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me seven swans a-swimming. The seven swans a-swimming have been understood to represent the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit...
Six Geese a-Laying
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six geese a-laying. The six geese a-laying are said to represent the six days of Creation...
Five Gold Rings
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me five gold rings. The five gold rings are often understood to represent the first five books of the Old Testament—the Torah, or Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy...
Four Calling Birds
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four calling birds… These four are said to represent the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—four distinct tellings of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus...
The Broken Church 