"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12. 6-8 Interpreting the meaning of 7 swans a-swimming depends on whom you ask. A Roman Catholic will

"For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them..." Exodus 20.11 Six geese a-laying suggests the six days of creation (on the seventh God rested). The egg itself is a potent symbol of fecundity and indeed of the world as a whole, bursting with life. Like the moth struggling out of the cocoon to become a butterfly, the chick has to peck its way out of the egg in order to stretch its wings and embrace life. Today we are more conscious

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them..." Matthew 5.17 Rings possess a folkloric significance, denoting completeness and eternity. Think of all those Celtic knots and indeed the structure of Ceol Mòr (classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe), with its circular theme-variations-theme structure. The Olympic symbol of 5 interlocking rings represents the 5 inhabited continents of the world. The

"I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness..." John 1.23 Is "calling" a genetic feature of the four birds in the carol - calling birds, as opposed to singing birds or crying birds - or is it what they happen to be doing? In which case the question is begged: for what are they calling? In fact, it appears that in older versions they are referred to as "colly" birds. The word "colly" derives from "coal-y", ie the colour of coal, which may identify these birds as blackbird

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13.13 Believe it or not debate rages (maybe that's too strong a term, "there is conflicting opinion...") concerning the symbolism of the three French hens. Do they refer to the gifts the Magi brought to the baby Jesus - gold, frankincense, myrrh? That would be appropriate, seasonally speaking. Or are they associated with the cardinal virtues of faith, hope and love which featu

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land..." Song of Solomon 2.12 On the RSPB website the turtle dove is described as emitting a gentle purring sound which is evocative of summer. In the Christmas carol, two turtle doves may represent the Old and New Testaments, which make up the Christian scriptures. Have you ever stopped to wonder why we retain both? After all, if Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament - or cove

"... (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn, a son." Luke 2.7 The simple beauty of this event is conveyed in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' carol, through the image of a partridge in a pear tree: Jesus in the arms of his mother Mary. Mystery surrounds the origin of this carol. According to one story it was conceived as a teaching aid for Catholics during the years of proscription following Queen Elizabeth I's Act of Uniformity in 1559, which outlawed the Catholic Mass. Whatever i

"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done." Revelation 22.12 Not all waiting is bad. I am waiting for a Skype call from my god-daughter who is giving me a rendition of the 'Skye Boat Song' on her violin. It's an early Christmas present! Somehow when the waiting is nearly over it's easier to be patient. In fact, that moment of last-minute anticipation can be delicious. No one knows when Jesus will return but

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." Revelation 21.3 The whole of Scripture is about God's plan to correct the dysfunction with which humankind has infected creation, despite our mandate to fill it and look after it. Not only that, God promises to install himself in the very heart of his re-creation. In a

"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49.6 This promise was made to the nation of Israel and fulfilled in Jesus. Yesterday's O-Antiphon hailed him as the Dayspring. Not a word one hears every day, "dayspring" suggests the source of light. 21 December is officially the darkest day of the year. Unofficially this year may go down as the darkest in human history, on account of the pandemic which has claimed s