“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: four calling birds, three French hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.” (“The Twelve Days Of Christmas”). Rings can symbolize many things. Five ring symbolisms, in particular, can help us understand Christ's gift to us. The most common thing that a ring symbolizes is a covenant marriage. Jesus is often compared to the bridegroom, and His church to the bride. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10). The bond that we can have with our Savior has the potential to be much stronger and more intimate than any bond we could possibly form with a spouse. Jesus broke His heart to save us, and He asks us to give Him our broken hearts in return. Rings can also represent more broadly a membership in the family and household. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, when the prodigal son returns, his father calls for a ring to be placed on his finger. As often as we return to Christ and show that we are willing to take His name upon us, He will reinstate us as full members of His household and grant unto us all of the rights and responsibilities that pertain to full-fledged children in the house of God. In that way, rings can also represent power and authority. When Pharaoh raised Joseph to be over all of Egypt, second only to himself, Pharaoh gave to Joseph his ring as an emblem of his authority. We have each been called to act and serve in the name of Jesus. As long as we are following the promptings of the Spirit and seeking the good and the welfare of others with the pure love of Christ in our hearts, then our words and our actions will have the ring of authority as personal representatives of Jesus Christ. Rings, particularly signet rings, have also been used to seal official documents. When we are given such a ring from Christ, He has promised that “whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19). Thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our families can be sealed for all of eternity with the signet ring of priesthood authority. Rings, especially golden rings, are also symbols of wealth. If we prove ourselves as good and faithful servants, then we will be welcomed into our Father's house where we will receive all that the Father has. Truly a wealth beyond measure. I am so grateful for the promise of these five golden rings - a covenant relationship, a legitimate place in the family, the authority to act in the name of Christ, the sealing power, and all that the Father has. There are many more, even infinite, gifts that the Savior has and will continue to give us and I just hope that during this season of gift giving we will occasionally turn our focus to the ultimate gift-giver.
