“On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree.” (“The Twelve Days Of Christmas”). Drums have been used in militaries for thousands of years to help armies keep the pace on marches and to send signals from command out to the rank and file soldiers. Thus, the drummers were special representatives of the commanding officers and helped carry out their battle plans. In the war for the souls of God's children, Jesus as Lord of the Hosts, has called twelve drummers to be His special representatives and help carry out His battle plans. As we pay attention to the twelve Apostles, we will be able to notice patterns and rhythms in the messages they deliver. These help us keep the proper pace as we march along the gospel path and give us the appropriate signals to advance, retreat, or fortify our positions. Battles are chaotic and tumultuous and we are living through a period that is particularly chaotic and tumultuous. We need now more than ever to listen to those twelve drummers drumming so that we can make sure that we do not get cut off from Christ and His strength. I am so grateful this Christmas that Christ has given us so many gifts, from gathering us under His wings as a hen gathers her chicks to giving us golden rings to signify our status as members of His family to sending His pipers and drummers so that we may hear and feel and dance to the song of redeeming love.
