We are now 75% through the days leading up to Christmas and the different gifts that we are being give. Each gift has been given to us repeatedly in the following days. As we have previously discussed, each day’s fift is mean to remind us of a truth about God, his word, and what he has commanded of us.
Here is a quick recap:
- Partridge in a Pear Tree- Jesus Christ
- Two Turtledoves- the Old and New Testaments
- Three French Hens – Faith, Hope, and Charity
- Four Calling Birds – the four Gospels
- Five Golden Rings – the Pentetauch
- Six Geese Alaying- the six days of creation
- Seven Swans Swimming- the Seven Gifts if the Holy Spirit or Seven Sacraments
- Eight Maids Milking- the eight Beattitudes (Matthew 5)
Now we are at Day Nine: Nine Ladies Dancing,or the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).
Nine Ladies Dancing
Here we are going to take a look at the Fruits of the Spirit. It’s important to understand that they are not things that can be simply culti ated because you want to, but are gifts cultivated because of the work of God in the believers life. These become character traits, much like the Beattitudes that are marks of a Christian. Let’s get into it.
Love. Love here is agape, or lo e that isn’t sexual or brotherly, but a little e that is absolute that has not expectations. 1 Corinthians 13 describes live the best.
Joy. Almost like being happy, but it goes much deeper. Someone can ha e joy in an unhappy situation, as it is an assurance that is bone deep in the soul of a Christian.
Peace. Here peace would be someone who seeks peace, is peaceful, and who isn’t causing strife. They have an absolute confidence in the fact that God is in control.
Patience. Easily one of the hardest, patience is being able to wait. God moves on his own time table. Sometimes it coincide with our’s and sometimes it doesn’t. Someone with Patience is able to find peace and joy during a season of waiting.
Kindness. Sometimes you can do something simply because it is a nice thing to do. There are no expectations from the other person when you are being kind. You do it for no other reason than because it can bless someone else.
Goodness. Similar to kindness, it is doing what is right even when no one else sees it.
Faithfulness. It isn’t about whether you get something out of the deal, or if you want to quit – its about you continuing to keep going no matter what comes up, gets in the way, or how hard it is. You keep going because of the live you have for God.
Gentleness. It’s the opposite of aggressive. This would be negative aggression- I think of it as the growling dog aggression. You don’t turn people off, make life miserable or others, and you are loving but firm, much the way you must be with a child.
Self- Control. Disciplined. Able to be consistent, to do something over and over until it is second nature. It also means that you aren’t given to being flighty and being carried away by your emotions.
There’s your gift for the day! I hope that you are enjoying your holiday season and are learning something along g the way.
Road Trippin With Rachael 
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