Eighth Day of Christmas

8. On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a candle and sealing wax.

Do not neglect to keep the fires burning or to seal your love for each other. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame (Song of Songs 8:6).

By Tom Neven

And from Something Sublime:

The eight maids a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes listed in the Bible in the book of Matthew 5:3-10. The word "beatitude" is from the Latin word "beatus" meaning "blessed". It means "supreme blessedness or happiness" and describes the declarations of blessing made by Jesus at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount. The spiritual character of God's Kingdom is put forth in the Beatitudes.

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (vs. 3) The poor in spirit are those who humbly acknowledge their need for Divine help and a Saviour; Jesus Christ.
• Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. (vs. 4) Near in meaning to "the poor in spirit", the meek are those who humbly and meekly bend themselves down before God and man. The will inherit the land, which is a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (vs. 5) The mourning of the third Beatitude is not the type of mourning we usually think of that comes from earthly miseries but is the mourning of a righteous man suffering for himself, and for others, as he sees and endures the suffering caused by evil in a sinful world.
• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill. (vs. 6) This hunger and thirst are an intense desire for righteousness and the progression of moral and spiritual perfection. Justice will one day be fulfilled by the one true and righteous Judge.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (vs. 7) Those who are spiritually merciful and act on it, will be rewarded with the Divine mercy of the Messianic Kingdom.
• Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. (vs. 8) A pure heart is evidenced by a singleness of intent towards simple and sincere good intentions, especially toward others. It is a continual seeking of God's glory.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. (vs. 9) The peacemakers are those who live in peace with God and man and do their best to preserve peace and friendship among mankind.
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (vs. 10) "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17 Those who suffer trouble and persecution in Jesus' name will rewarded with the Kingdom.

For more commentary on the Beatitudes, click here.