The Seventh Day of Christmas

By Tresta Neil

Called to Learn

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . .
my mother’s favorite, “seven swans a-swimming.” She loves swans and she also loves alliterations. This seventh day is dedicated to her, the woman who gave me my life and encouraged me to have many fun-filled New Years.

Traditionally the seven symbolizes the seven gifts of the spirit. Isaiah wrote them in chapter eleven. They are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

In the seventh article of faith, we also find a list of seven gifts, “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelations, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” (Article of Faith 1:7)

Seven and three are the most commonly used numbers found in the scriptures.
There are 7 days of creation, Enoch is the 7th generation and taken to heaven (complete). Jacob worked 7 years for Leah and 7 more for Rachel, Joseph prepared for 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine, there are 7 Holy days (Lev 23), Naaman dipped seven times in the Jordan river to be cleansed, John teaches to the 7 churches/cities in Asia. We are to forgive 70X7 times, there are 7 levels of persecution and 7 dispensations to complete the earth’s cycle.

Seven in nature is found in cycles. Crystals have seven major systems to be
created. Cells go through seven steps to split. Rainbows have seven colors. There are 280 days of gestation, a multiple of seven.

There are cycles in the Hebrew number seven or “shevah.” It is from the root “savah” which means “to be full,” “to be satisfied,” or “to have enough of.” (see Beloved Bridegroom) Think about the days of the week, seven days complete the week. The word “week” comes from the Gothic wiko signifying “sequence to which we come” which is derived from the Egyptian uak, the word for festival, is a quarter of the moon’s monthly cycle of 29.52 days equaling one “moonth.” The seven-day rhythm creates and is a familiar cycle to all of us.

The Hebrew word “shevah” can also be read “shabah” which means “to swear” or “to take an oath.” Thus, seven not only signifies fulfillment and completion, it also is a number for an oath and a connection to covenants and covenant-making. Christ made a seven-fold covenant promise with Israel at Sinai. This covenant is remembered in the wine on on table of shew bread in the Holy Room of the Tabernacle.

Anciently the Hebrews drew a mattock or tool for the number seven. This was to remind them that on the seventh day, they were to lay their tools and weapons aside for a day to receive spiritual nourishment. The seventh and last of the Hebrew Holy Days is Yom Sukkoth or the Feast of Tabernacles. This celebration is about Christ’s coming and taking us home to rest with God again in Heaven (His Tabernacle). The word “rest” means “security in the house of your husband.” On the cross was the seven-word description, “This is Jesus The King of the Jews.” Christ’s last words were a seven-word phrase, “Into thy hands, I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

The seventh constellation is Pieces, the two fishes that are caught in the bands of death and dragged down to hell by the sea monster or devil. The two fishes represent the ancient and the latter-day churches. Christ stands at the head of His church (Eph. 5:23), the Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14) as depicted in the main star.

The seven swans were swimming and so were the two fishes in the constellation. There are so many commonalities within the number seven. What will you remember from this study? the word meanings? the seven gifts? or all the cycles? the covenants? The Sabbath Day? Whatever you choose may God Bless you on this New Year’s Day!

On the seventh day of Christmas, My Father gave to me
seven complete cycles,
six celebrations,
five things of power,
four family members,
three great desires,
two directions …

Read: The Eighth Day of Christmas