Today is the seventh day of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. There is just a buzz of excitement in the air for all that 2012 has in store for us. However, it is still Christmas, as strange as it may seem. “On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, seven swans a swimming.” As I have been blogging about the twelve days of Christmas, I have noticed that my true love is really fond of birds. We have a partridge, turtle doves, French hens, calling birds, geese and swans. What in the world?
The seven swimming swans represent the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, Romans 12 and 1 Peter 4:10-11. St. Thomas Aquinas summarized these gifts in the Summa Theologica.
I’m not going to leave you hanging. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and the Fear of the Lord. In our daily walks of faith and sacramental living these are very precious gifts that will prove to be useful not only for ourselves, but as we minister to others.
It is also important to recognize that the number seven biblically represents completion. I do believe that in these seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the trinity of our Godhead is brought to completion. Share these gifts with others, you may find that the more you share them with others, you may become a victim of reciprocity, overflowing with these gifts. Remember that in all things you are complete in the fullness of God and with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Peace and Christmastide blessings,
Karsten
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