“On the Third Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me, Three French Hens” by Cindy LaTouf
The Three French Hens represent Faith, Hope, and Love.
Faith is often referred to as the cornerstone of our Christian life as it is what connects us to and receives the blessings God desires to give us. “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
That definition underscores one of the key aspects of what our Christian faith is all about – trusting God even when we cannot see or understand what is going on.
Hope is mentioned over and over in the Bible in both the Old and New Testament. One of the best references is Romans 5:3-4. “Not only, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Love is a word that has many different meanings and understandings. The most important thing we need to know and understand when the Bible tells us about love is it is more than a feeling – love is demonstrated by actions. That is all summed up in the well-known words of John 3:16; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life”.
French Hens are known for their size and superior egg-laying abilities during the winter months when times were hard and eggs were a staple of life. There is an old saying that goes something like this, “He that has eggs must endure the cackling of hens.”
What is it in the Christian life that helps you endure hardships? What enables you to keep going during the cackling of others and the storms that come your way? What gifts of virtue has God given you so you can withstand the long, cold, brutal winter months of life and belief? God has given you three gifts – the three French hens: (1) Faith, (2) Hope, (3) Love
It is through faith we are saved, sustained, and secured. (Ephesians2:8-9)
It is our faith in Jesus Christ that gives us hope. Because of Jesus, we have hope of eternal life in heaven, as well as the hope of abundant life on earth (John10:10)
It is our faith that gives us hope, and because of our hope, we can love the way God asks us to love. We are to love God with all that we have, and we are to love others in the same way God loves us – unconditionally and sacrificially.
Loving God and loving others is the fulfillment of what God requires. Therefore, of the three virtues of faith, hope, and love, love is the greatest.
One day I hope to have hens. Not sure they will be French hens, but my henhouse is sure to be full of cackling; I will have Faith, Hope, and Love.