The Twelfth Day to Christmas

 

        Good afternoon, friends! It is that time of year again, already. What concerns me, however, is not the passage of time, but the fact that the last post on this blog was my last Christmas series post from last year. I have not posted at all in 2024 until now. What that means for blog posts in the future, I'm not really certain, but I do know that my current aspiration is to post more in 2025. Lord-willing this year's Christmas series will not be the last you hear from me until next Christmas. 

       Now that we've got that sorted, we'll move on to the subject of today's post. Thinking through possibilities for the first day of the year, I knew I wanted to share a song that was a little more eclectic than the common fair we are pelted with, around this time, but I thought it wouldn't be a bad thing if I shared something many of you had heard before; even something I've shared on this blog before.

       Considering the news this year; meeting the man who overturned all of my well-meaning fantasies about a future husband, and then accepting his proposal, it seemed fitting to me to remind myself, as well as the rest of you, who the ultimate wooer and lover of our souls is. I need something to anchor myself even when I am getting swept off my feet by a wonderful man with a lot of charm and, what the young people like to call, "rizz." 

     On this first day of my advent series, I'd like us all to consider Christ, not merely as the babe in the manger, but as the dazzling prince, the darling of heaven, performing the ultimate coup in the history of human existence. His bride, His chosen one had run off with His enemy, was feasting and dancing in His courts, and Christ gave up His own princedom and, ultimately, His life, to pursue her. 

      There has been no greater lover in history, no more self-sacrificial or gallant man time began, nor will there ever be. No, not even John Matthews himself, can find himself a foothold in my heart as deeply as Christ has, and neither should I in His, because Christ, the great lover, has come to call His true love to the dance. Let us dance with Him, friends, this glorious Christmastime. Remember who loves you most of all, and render all your love to Him so that you may love your brother fully. Join the dance with me!       

                                      

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance;

Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance
Thus was I knit to man's nature
To call my true love to my dance. 

In a manger laid, and wrapped I was
So very poor, this was my chance
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance. 

Then afterwards baptized I was;
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father’s voice heard from above,
To call my true love to my dance. 

Into the desert I was led,
Where I fasted without substance;
The Devil bade me make stones my bread,
To have me break my true love's dance. 

The Jews on me they made great suit,
And with me made great variance,
Because they loved darkness rather than light,
To call my true love to my dance. 

For thirty pence Judas me sold,
His covetousness for to advance:
Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold!
The same is he shall lead the dance. 

Before Pilate the Jews me brought,
Where Barabbas had deliverance;
They scourged me and set me at nought,
Judged me to die to lead the dance.

Then on the cross hanged I was,
Where a spear my heart did glance;
There issued forth both water and blood,
To call my true love to my dance.

Then down to hell I took my way
For my true love's deliverance,
And rose again on the third day,
Up to my true love and the dance.

Then up to heaven I did ascend,
Where now I dwell in sure substance
On the right hand of God, that man
May come unto the general dance. 

    Generally only the first three verses are sung, as in the video, but I thought you all would enjoy reading all eleven of them.  Let me know if you've heard of this song before. If so, sing it with me today, if not, now is your time to learn it! You're welcome. ;)

      Until tomorrow,

                ~ Christianna