The Third Day Of Christmas 2015

December 27, the Third Day of Christmas, is the feast day for John the Evangelist and Apostle in the Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran traditions. This year it is also the First Sunday after Christmas.

The Gospel for the day: Luke 2:41-52:

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Jesus in the Temple                                                           Heinrich Hoffman, 1881

Here is some music for the day:

This is the truth sent from above, 

The truth of God, the God of love; 

Therefore don’t turn me from your door, 

But hearken all both rich and poor. 

The first thing which I do relate 

Is that God did man create; 

The next thing which to you I’ll tell: 

Woman was made with man to dwell. 

Then after this ’twas God’s own choice 

To place them both in Paradise, 

There to remain from evil free, 

Except they ate of such a tree. 

And they did eat, which was a sin, 

And thus their ruin did begin; 

Ruined themselves, both you and me, 

And all of their posterity.

Thus we were heirs to endless woes, 

Till God the Lord did interpose, 

And so a promise soon did run 

That he would redeem us by his Son.

Good Christian men rejoice

With heart and soul and voice!

Give ye heed to what we say

Jesus Christ is born today!

Ox and ass before Him bow

And He is in the manger now

Christ is born today!

Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice

Now ye hear of endless bliss

Jesus Christ was born for this

He hath opened Heaven's door

And man is blessed evermore

Christ was born for this

Christ was born for this

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice

Now ye need not fear the grave:

Jesus Christ was born to save

Calls you one and calls you all

To gain His everlasting hall

Christ was born to save

Christ was born to save

Sources

Photos and Illustrations:
heinrichhoffmann.net; original painting in the collection at Galerie Neue Meister, Dresden, Germany
Text:
Holy Bible, New International Version, biblegateway.com
carols.org.uk