On the tenth day of Christmas...

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery..." Exodus 20.2

With these words God establishes his authority for what follows: ground rules for living faithfully, which have come to be known as "The 10 Commandments" and remain the bedrock of morality in societies which have been shaped by Judeo-Christian principles. Here's a quick refresher of what they are:

• I am the LORD thy God

• No other gods before me

• No graven images or likenesses

• Not take the LORD's name in vain

• Remember the sabbath day

• Honour thy father and thy mother

• Thou shalt not kill

• Thou shalt not commit adultery

• Thou shalt not steal

• Thou shalt not bear false witness

• Thou shalt not covet

Might these be what the "10 Lords a-leaping" are pointing us towards? They surely complement yesterday's 9 Fruits of the Spirit, represented by the "9 Ladies Dancing". Moral principles seasoned by spiritual graces are like flesh on the bones of a healthy body. And the moral authority of God can only have been compounded by his leading us out slavery to sin, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

So take your partners, please, and let the dance continue...