Tenth Day of Chrsitmas - "Lords a Leaping"

Tenth Day of Christmas:  Ten Lords Leaping

…He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zeph. 3:17 (KJV)

Many years ago I experienced a moment of revelation when I saw a drawing of Jesus laughing. His head was tilted back and His mouth was open in a huge smile. “Yes,” I thought, “He was human as well as divine. Of course He laughed sometimes.”

Our God takes pleasure in His children and He offers us joy. Just as he is the source of love, truth, mercy and peace, He is the source of joy. Often, when we come to Him, He rejoices over us.

The ten lords leaping are a symbol of the Ten Commandments. Their leaping is a sign of joy.
King David expressed his joy by leaping and dancing before the Lord as he brought the ark of the covenant home. John the Baptist leapt for joy in his mother’s womb when he sensed the presence of Jesus. Several times when people with a crippling disease were healed, they rose up and leapt for joy. 

Their joy came from understanding God’s laws, His grace and His plan. For thousands of years the Ten Commandments have been the basis for law in countries holding true to Judeo-Christian ethics. Later Jesus’ teachings clarified and offered an even more focused understanding of God’s grace and plans for His people. He wants the same for us. He wants us to leap for joy—if not with our limbs, with our hearts. God also wants to leap and dance over us with singing. I think He will be smiling.

Father God, help us to honor your laws and rest in the joy and peace you offer.

© Christy Struben 2013