Christmas 2018: The Third Day

December 27 is the Third Day of Christmas and the feast day of Saint John the Evangelist and Apostle. John was one of the Twelve. He stood at the foot of the cross at the Crucifixion. At the direction of Jesus, he cared for Mary until her death. Most Bible scholars credit John with the authorship of the Gospel of John, three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation.

St. John and the cup                                                                            El Greco, ca. 1600

Here is a seasonal evoking St. John's message.

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.

Sources

Photos and Illustrations:

This work is in the public domain. 

Details at  commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_Greco_034.jpg