On the Third Day of Christmas

On the Third Day of Christmas
My true love sent to me:

3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Are the 3 French Hens: Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues?   Or are they the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit? 

If we go with the virtues, then we should take a look at the traditional Christmas Carol, Good King Wenceslas, The King was a wonderful example of charity. 

 

 “Therefore, Christian men, be sure wealth or rank possessing,

Ye who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing." 

 

In the carol, we hear mention of the Feast of Stephen.  Saint Stephen is remembered on December 27, in the beginning of our Twelve Days. Did you know we also remember Joseph the Betrothed on the Sunday after Christmas?  It’s a moveable feast-day, not having a specific date, but always the Sunday after Christmas.  It might seem like he’s been neglected to have a moveable feast, but to the contrary.  The Sunday before Christmas we remember Christ’s Genealogy and the Sunday after Christmas we remember Joseph. 

 

According to the Synaxarion:

On December 27 we commemorate the holy Apostle, Proto-Martyr, and Archdeacon Stephen, one of the Seven Deacons.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Theodore the Inscribed, brother of Theophanes the Poet.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Theodore, Archbishop of Constantinople

On this day we also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Maurice, and the seventy martyrs with him.

We also commemorate the holy and righteous Ancestors of God: Joseph the Betrothed of our Lady the Holy Theotokos and Virgin Mary; James (or Iakovos) the Brother of the Lord; and David the Prophet and king.

By the intercessions of Your saints, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen