Third Day of Christmas

All my favorite things come in threes. 

We three kings of orient. (my favorite Christmas song)

Jollof rice, plantain and turkey.

You, me and God. 

Faith, Hope and Love. 

In my research for this, I learned that 12 days of Christmas wasn’t just a song. It is a theological teaching. That a partridge in a pear tree meant sacrifice, two turtle doves represented fidelity and loyalty, that three French hens wasn’t referring to an ancient bird in France but Faith, Hope and Love. Three of the virtues in our Christian faith. If it reminds you of 1 Corinthians 13:13, you’re spot on. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

What is Love? 

John 15:13 (TPT) says : ”For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.“ and that my friends is what Jesus did. What he’s always done. John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Which leads me to believe that Love is a choice. Love is demonstrated by action. How have you chosen to demonstrate love to others lately? 

What is Faith? 

Hebrews 11:11 “Now,Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is moving like you’re already in the evidence. Faith is an action word. It’s your demonstration towards what God has said. I like this version; We speak the things that be not as thou they are. The Christian Faith is literally laid out on the foundation of Faith. You believe God wholeheartedly and so, you’re willing to trust him with your life. All. Aspects. Of. It. 

Hebrews:11:6 says that “He that comes to God must believe that He IS, and is a rewarder of them that seek him.” We are assured that we never pray in vain, God sees. 

What is Hope? 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve gone through some pretty horrible seasons and maybe you’re currently going through one, I’ve found that I can take comfort in the words of Paul in Romans 5:3-5.TPT “…Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!“

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Have you ever felt like even in your darkest season, you had peace? You felt a semblance of joy in your heart? You still know that God is faithful? That he would keep his word? That is what Hope is. 

Fun fact: our fathers in the Old Testament were credited because of their belief in Jesus who was yet to come and who didn’t for quite a number of years. The Bible calls them men of Faith but I like to think that they also had Hope. Hope is that flame in your eyes that says it’ll come. Faith is the flame that says it’s already here. Sometimes, we are on it’s coming and that’s okay. 

The beautiful thing about all of this is that we are not left without answers for any of our questions or needs. They are encapsulated in the Christian value; Faith, Hope and Love. While, we reflect about God’s character and goodness  and what this season represents, I’d like to encourage us to pay it forward. We get to represent, be light of the world whether it’s through giving , putting a smile on someone’s face, Volunteering, praying for someone or encouraging somebody. Let’s all be reminded that we are blessed to be a blessing and there’s no perfect time to do it than this season of giving. 

I wish you all the joys of the season! 

Feliz Navidad from Faith 🎄