Day 11
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . .
Eleven pipers piping.
Have you ever heard bagpipes? They have a distinct and loud sound. When in I was in high school, a family friend was visiting. She was an accomplished musician who played many instruments, including the bagpipe. For whatever reason that afternoon, she actually played the bagpipe in the house. It was so loud. It became my and my brother’s instant opinion that bagpipes are made for outside spaces or very, very large indoor spaces—never inside the house!
Nevertheless, the celebration continues here. We have good food, great dancing, and now, we have music. Living our faith should be a celebration. As the Bible Geek recently wrote, a Christian who lacks joy is a contradiction. Remember, we experience that joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, the Lord, working in our life.
The eleven pipers piping can help us to remember the eleven faithful apostles. We know the story of the Judas’ betrayal. And yet by the end of the night, Peter had also denied Christ. We should strive to be faithful in following the Lord, but even when we are not, God is. (2 Timothy 2:13). When we stray, God is always ready to receive us back; do you need to turn around and come back home? (Thank you, Matt Maher.) The Lord is always ready to welcome you back and offer forgiveness.
