Christmastide - Day 10

January 3, 2025
Merry Christmastide

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Ten lords a-leaping.

Perhaps my blog yesterday about the ballerinas was foreshadowed by my opportunity to “dance” in a school Christmas play when I was in the second (or third) grade. I wanted to be the Partridge in the Pear Tree but was, alas, assigned to be Leaping Lord.  Yet, I took my role with serious study. I leaped every time one of the days of the year was announced. I was offstage – but I practiced my leaping diligently until our turn arrived.  Then, the craziest thing happened: out of ten lords, only two or three of us leaped. Most of the others sucked on their fingers and walked in a circle. My parents were proud of my performance, and I had forgotten all about it until I started writing this blog.

Feel free to set aside my little story and instead capture the image of ten lords a-leaping. It should be one of authority in jubilant motion. Lords, traditionally figures of leadership and law, leaping with joy feels like a paradox. When followed with a heart of love and obedience, they bring freedom, joy, and the ability to “leap” through life in alignment with God’s will.

In Christian folklore, the ten lords a-leaping are said to symbolize the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17). These commandments were given by God to Moses as a covenant with His people—a guide for holy living and a reflection of God’s righteousness. Here's Luke 18:20:


In this passage, Jesus reminds the rich ruler of the commandments, calling him to reflect on his life in light of God’s law. The commandments are not merely rules to be followed but a mirror to show us where our hearts stand before God. They reveal our need for grace and call us to live in obedience, not out of fear, but out of love and devotion to God.  I was going to just list the Ten Commandments by title, but thought it worthwhile to add a quick description,  Before you read the list, stop and see how many you remember in order.

Exodus 20:3-17 - The Ten Commandments:
Leaping in Obedience
The Ten Commandments are often seen as restrictive or burdensome, but they are actually a gift - a guide for living in harmony with God and others. They reveal God’s character and His desire for us to live holy, joyful lives.

Imagining the Lord's a-Leaping should remind us that obedience to God’s law is not a heavy burden but a joyful response to His love. When we align our lives with His commandments, we experience the freedom and joy that come from living as He designed us to live. But we must also remember that, on our own, we cannot perfectly follow God’s law. The commandments reveal our sin and point us to our need for a Savior. Through Jesus, we are not only forgiven but also empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in obedience.

The Ten Commandments are not just a list of rules - they are a covenant of love between God and His people. They call us to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His holiness. When we follow His commandments, empowered by His Spirit, we experience the freedom and joy of living in His will.

In closing, I do not recommend mimicking a Lord’s a-Leaping… I just tried and I think I pulled a muscle.

A New Year’s Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your law, which reveals Your holiness and guides me in the way of righteousness. Thank You for the Ten Commandments, which show me how to love You and others.

Father, I confess that I have not always followed Your commandments. Forgive me for the times I have placed other things above You, failed to honor my relationships, or lived in discontentment. Teach me to embrace Your commandments as a gift, not a burden, and to reflect Your love and holiness in all that I do.

May my life be a joyful leap of obedience, honoring You and bringing glory to Your name.

In Jesus’ precious and Holy name,
Amen.