Six Geese a-Laying
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, six geese a-laying.
Today we turn our attention to the God who once described himself as a mother hen (Luke 13: 31-35). Although it is not hens but geese mentioned the sixth verse of the 12 Days of Christmas, the catechetical symbolism fits. The six geese represent for Christians the six days of creation, when God gave birth (in a figurative sense) to the universe.
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)
God’s creation begins with light that scatters the darkness. His new creation through Christ also begins with light.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1: 4-5)
Nature itself gives testimony to the truth of Christ’s light during this time of year. Each day is a tiny bit longer as the light grows stronger. Our faith assures us that darkness is never more powerful than the light.
Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” (Genesis 1: 6)
Since there is no picture of what things looked like before God put lights into the heavens, I’ll settle for this incredible picture of the night sky. As one continues through the Genesis account of creation he finds God creating the environments necessary for life as we know it. We also see the beginning of created beauty. The waters above are quite something to look at.
Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:9)
On the third day God continues to build a place where life will be able to prosper. It too is filled with beauty…
…and things that grow.
God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; he made the stars also. (Genesis 1:16)
The sun is one of the greatest gifts we have received from God. It has always fascinated me the light of the sun both allows for things to grow, producing life, while at the same time produces decay for those things that have died. How much more so does the light of Christ both produce life within us while at the same time destroying death.
Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” (Genesis 1:20)
On the fifth day God begins filling the waters and the sky with countless creatures that add to the beauty of creation. I am blessed to live in an area where I can daily see numerous birds as they make their way through the skies. I live near enough to water to see fish as well.
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:24)
On the sixth day God fills the land with creatures and in doing so is ready to create someone with the ability to appreciate, with wonder and awe, all that has been formed by God’s hands.
Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)
Just as we spend time each year preparing for Christmas, buying and wrapping gifts for loved ones, cleaning our homes and cooking dinner, and setting aside gifts for those in need; God spent his time in the beginning preparing the gift of this world for us. When that same world was darkened by sin, He sent His Son to restore it.
Today let us celebrate this season by recognizing the beauty that surrounds us and let us thank God for such a perfect Christmas gift.
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