In the spirit of the holidays (to be sung to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"):
On the first day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
A sermon on the birth of a King.
On the second day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the third day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Three illustrations, two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Four applications, three illustrations, two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Six sermon outlines, five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines,
Five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Eight pot-luck suppers, seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines,
Five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Nine Christmas neckties, eight pot-luck suppers,
Seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines,
Five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Ten trustees griping, nine Christmas neckties, eight pot-luck suppers,
Seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines,
Five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Eleven deacons deac-ing, ten trustees griping,
Nine Christmas neckties, eight pot-luck suppers,
Seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines,
Five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Twelve days vacation
Eleven deacons deac-ing, ten trustees griping,
Nine Christmas neckties, eight pot-luck suppers,
Seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines,
Five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.
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Michael Duduit is Editor of Preaching magazine and President of American Ministry Resources. You can write to him at michael@preaching.com, or visit his website at www.michaelduduit.com.