Dear Friend,

I want to thank all of you that have been following the Twelve Days with me. It has been an incredible experience to continue to share the love, the meaning and the joy of the Christmas season. Today’s explanation of the Ninth Day of Christmas is a little longer, however, I discovered so much “richness” in my research, I just want to share all the good stuff. Please take that extra few minutes to read them all. Continue to enjoy. If you have missed any of the days, check out my blog at www.hawkinssharpe.com/kandeeg.com/.

The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, the birth of Jesus, and the Epiphany, Jan. 6th, (epiphany being the Greek word for manifestation).

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” has its origins in spiritual symbolism-and with a serious purpose. Each element is a code word for a religious truth.

All the gifts sent on the subsequent days of Christmas were gifts disguised in the words of the song that come to all who believe in the love and truth of God.

The song’s gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of faith and belief.  The “true love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God. The “me” who receives the presents refers to everyone who believes.

“On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me; Nine Ladies Dancing.” The Nine Ladies Dancing represent the fruits of the spirit. We are speaking about the operations of the Spirit of God in the material world we live in, and within us. The Spirit is there to cause things to happen in people’s lives that bring them more in tune with God’s purposes on earth (and beyond). When the Spirit starts changing someone, it shows as a growth in character, a change in their way of life that is good for the people they live among. This change in character is called a “fruit of the Spirit;” like the fruit grown by a tree can feed people and wildlife. From ancient times to today, abundant fruit from an orchard is seen as cause for hope and celebration. Abundant spiritual fruit also breeds hope and is well worth celebrating.

The Fruit of the Spirit is a term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a spiritual life. These are not necessarily individual “fruits” (attributes) rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one ninefold “fruit” that characterizes all who truly walk a spiritual path. Collectively, these are the fruits that all spiritual beings should be producing as a manifestation of a transformed life.

1. Love. This love, has also been called agape  which refers to unconditional love.  Agape denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest of the other, no matter what. It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object.  Agape is more of a love by choice. It refers to the will rather than the emotion.  This love is described as the unconditional love God has for the world. “Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it, it pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening. Love never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end. Love never fails.”

2. Joy. Another word for joy is chara, derived from the word charis, which is the Greek word for “grace.” This is important to note, for it tells us categorically that chara is produced by charis of God. This means “joy” is not a human-based happiness that comes and goes…Rather, true “joy” is divine in origin…it is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best in hard times.  Early accounts of spiritual followers were under great stress due to persecution; yet in the midst of it all, they continued to experience great joy. In fact, it implies this great joy or grace was spirit working through them.

3.     Peace. Peace is the result of resting in a relationship with God. Peace is a tranquility; a state of rest, that comes from seeking God, or the opposite of chaos. The word “peace” comes from the word eirene, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by the outward circumstances or pressures. The word eirene strongly suggests the rule of order in place of chaos. “When a person is dominated by peace he has a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct himself peacefully, no matter what the conflict.

4.     Patience. The word denotes lenience, forbearance, fortitude, patient endurance, long-suffering. It is ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment. It describes a person who has the power to not exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint. Constancy, perseverance, continuance, bearing up, steadfastness, holding out, patient endurance. It describes the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat. “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”

5.     Kindness. Kindness is acting for the good of people regardless of what they do. Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, affability. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience. This Gift of Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character. The word kindness is to be friendly to others. Anyone who demonstrates this quality is considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind or gentle. Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return. Kindness is respect and helping others without waiting for someone to help one back. It implies kindness no matter what. We should live “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God.”

6. Goodness. The state or quality of being good. Moral excellence, virtue, kindly feeling, kindness, generosity. The best part of anything, essence of strength and character recognized in quality or conduct; goodness. “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.”

7.     Faithfulness. Faithfulness is committing oneself to something or someone, for instance, to God or to one’s spouse. Being faithful requires personal resolve not to wander away from commitments or promises. It’s not always easy to be faithful. It takes trust in God.

8.     Gentleness. Gentleness is a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious and that has the passions under control. The word is best translated “meekness,” not as an indication of weakness, but of power and strength under control. The person who possesses this quality pardons injuries, corrects faults, and rules his own spirit well. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

9.     Self Control. Self control means having command or mastery over, or possession of, one’s own behavior.  “Make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love

There is so much here in The Nine Fruits of the Spirit; gifts that we are given to create an amazing life over flowing, abundant, fulfilling; full of love and life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Today, take a moment to remember how truly loved by God that you are. Take some time to see how the fruits of the spirit work in your own life.  We live in a wonderful, creative, divine world. Receive all the wonderful gifts that await you.  Accept and use these gifts for the good of all.

If you are not yet receiving your daily G-note, just go to www.hawkinssharpe.com/kandeeg.com/ – sign up for G-Notes and you will receive the remaining 12 Days.  On the last day, I will forward the entire twelve days. Enjoy! And may you have all the gifts of this amazing Christmas season.

God Bless

Kandee G