There are in fact twelve days of Christmas. In the Western Church calendar, the twelve days of Christmas start on Dec. 25th and end on January 5th. A break down of the days are as follows:
Dec. 25 - Christmas
Dec. 26 - The Feast of Stephen
Dec. 27 - John the Baptist’s martyrdom
Dec. 28 - Feast of the Holy Innocents
Jan. 1 - Feast of the Name and Circumcision of Jesus
Jan. 5 - Day of the Magi
This means that the famous song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is connected to the Church calendar, and some people have certainly made some deeper connections to the meaning of the gifts from the "True Love" of the song by finding Biblical parallels. Was this song intentionally written as code to teach the Christian faith? And even if it wasn't, can these Biblical connections add a new sense of wonder to the song and help remind us that we have way more to celebrate and remember in the Church calendar for the Christmas Season? I think so. Listen and find out more!
Show Links:
12 Days of Christmas Show Notes
The Force Awakens this Friday, December 18th. Star Wars will likely dominate many families' Christmas gatherings. With this in mind, Andy sought advice from Pastor Rob Mrosko, who has been a fan of Star Wars since seeing Episode 4 in 1977 when he was six years old.
Pastor Rob shares why he thinks the Star Wars franchise has been so popular before sharing ways that the series connects with Biblical themes that Christians can use in conversations to share the Gospel.
Pastor Rob also addresses two approaches Christians often times take when approaching secular films like Star Wars: approaching it just as entertainment with no discernment or avoiding it all together due to certain elements that oppose Scriptural truths.
Andy also asks if the Star Wars series has a Christ-like figure and who the hero actually is since it appears that the Dark Side has a popularity in toy and clothing marketing and products.
Finally, Pastor Rob gives some pastoral advice for Christians to consider when entering into this new trilogy.
George and Andy apply the Reconnect theme of sharing and defending the Gospel and apply it to the Christmas season.
Together they answer the following three questions:
1. Do you have any ideas for sharing the Gospel during the Christmas season?
2. Any particular Christmas movies that you think do a good job of sharing the Gospel message?
3. What's your response to this year's Starbucks red cup and the "movement" that was attempted by Joshua Feuerstein?
Show Links
Linus Explains the Meaning of Christmas
Bad Religion's Christmas Songs
Merry Christmas Starbucks in the News
Andy, Wes, and Jesse take an online quiz to find out what Christian denomination they should be. This is all the more fun because Jesse doesn't have a denomination!
Take the quiz for yourself here: http://www.selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=christiandenom