Seven Swans A-Swimming: The Bondage of the Law

“Everything in the waters that has not fins or scales shall be abhorrent and detestable to you. These you shall have in abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, for they are detestable: the eagle, the ossifrage, the osprey, ... the swan, the pelican, the vulture, the stork, all kinds of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.” – Leviticus 11:12-18 (AMPC)

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

As we continue exploring the allegorical gifts of the twelve days of Christmas, the swans remind us of a significant aspect of the Old Covenant: its restrictiveness. In Leviticus 11, God gives His people detailed instructions about what they can and cannot eat, which includes a list of birds like the swan that are deemed “detestable” and forbidden. This passage highlights the burdensome nature of the Law — it was filled with “don’ts.”

The Old Covenant, with its numerous rules and regulations, created an atmosphere of restriction. For every “do,” there seemed to be ten “don’ts.” The people of Israel were constantly navigating a labyrinth of prohibitions. These regulations were meant to set them apart as God’s holy people, but they also revealed the impossibility of achieving perfection through human effort alone. The Law, while good, showed the Israelites (and all of humanity) just how far they fell short of God’s holiness.

But while the Law was restrictive, it also pointed to something greater — the need for grace. The heavy burden of the Old Covenant law was not meant to be a permanent solution; it was meant to teach us that we cannot save ourselves by our works. We need a Savior who would fulfill the law perfectly on our behalf.

The swans, as part of this restrictive list, point us toward the truth that we cannot rely on the Law to make us right with God. Thankfully, through Christ, we are no longer bound by these restrictions. He has fulfilled the Law for us, and through His grace, we are freed from the weight of trying to measure up on our own. We no longer need to swim in the restrictive waters of self-effort.

Over to You:

• Do you feel burdened by trying to measure up to expectations, whether they are from others, yourself, or even the Law?
• Take a moment to reflect on how Christ has freed you from the need to earn God's love. His grace is sufficient, and you no longer need to swim in the restrictive waters of self-effort.

Further Scripture References:

• Galatians 3:24-25; Romans 8:1-4; Matthew 11:28-30

Prayer:
Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to fulfill the Law on our behalf. I confess that I often feel burdened by the weight of trying to measure up, but I am grateful that through Christ, I am no longer bound by the Law’s restrictions. Help me to live in the freedom that comes with grace, and to rest in Your finished work. In Jesus' name, Amen.