Nine Ladies Dancing

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

As noted earlier, this is going to be a great and grand feast.  Over the first eight days we have acquired most all we need in edibles, but what would a celebratory feast be without entertainment.  The nine ladies dancing evokes images of the music and dancing which were a big part of the celebrations at this period of history in England.  The nine ladies dancing would be high born ladies dancing for the entertainment of the men much as people today will often provide impromptu entertainment at parties and other social gatherings.  Again, the emphasis is on celebrating and having fun during this nearly two weeks of non-stop nightly partying.

These nine ladies represent the nine fruits of the Spirit.  Our life in the Spirit will produce fruit.  These nine ladies have come that there might be good fruit of love, joy, and peace.  When we walk by the Spirit, these same fruits will be produced.  

The prophetic promise through Jeremiah was that when the Lord gathers His flock, “Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:13-14)  At this Christmas festival, the Lord gathers His people, and the maidens will dance, young men and old as well.