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The Daily Devotional
Friday, January 2, 2026
The Dance of Friendship and Fruit: The Ninth Day of Christmas
“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things." — Galatians 5:22-23
Introduction
On this Ninth Day of Christmas, the traditional carol gives us "Nine Ladies Dancing." In the history of Christian symbolism regarding this song, these nine dancers represent the nine Fruits of the Spirit listed by St. Paul in Galatians. But today is also a special day in the life of the church—the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen. These two 4th-century theologians shared a friendship so deep that Gregory described them as having "a single spirit." Today, we look at how the fruits of the Spirit are rarely grown in isolation; they are best displayed in the dance of community.
Reflection
The transition from the start of a New Year into the season of Epiphany can feel disjointed. We make bold resolutions on January 1st, but by January 2nd, the reality of the effort sets in. This is where the example of Basil and Gregory shines. They understood that the Christian walk is not a solo march, but a coordinated dance.
Consider the dynamic of a tandem kayak. If you have ever watched two people trying to navigate a two-person kayak for the first time, it is often a chaotic scene. If the person in the front paddles left while the person in the back paddles right, the boat spins in circles. If they paddle at different tempos, their paddles clash, splashing water and killing their momentum. They might be strong individuals, but without a shared rhythm, they go nowhere.
However, when two paddlers find their sync—breathing together, dipping the blades into the water in unison—the kayak cuts through the water with incredible speed and grace. The effort feels lighter because it is shared.
This is what St. Gregory meant when he said he and Basil had "a single object and ambition." The "Nine Ladies Dancing"—those Fruits of the Spirit like patience, kindness, and gentleness—are the rhythm of our spiritual kayak. It is very difficult to be patient alone; patience requires someone to be patient with. It is hard to practice gentleness in a vacuum; gentleness requires interaction. Just as Basil needed Gregory to navigate the tumultuous waters of the 4th-century church, we need spiritual friendships to help us maintain the rhythm of grace.
Application
Today, look at the "dance card" of your life. Who is in the boat with you? Who helps you maintain a rhythm of patience or kindness when you feel like paddling against the current?
The Challenge: Reach out to a spiritual friend today—your "Gregory" or your "Basil." It doesn't need to be a heavy theological discussion. simply send a text or make a call to check in. Thank them for being a steady presence in your life. If you feel you lack this kind of connection, pray specifically today for God to highlight a companion who can help you paddle toward the "blessings that are to come."
Conclusion
As we move toward Epiphany, remember that the revelation of Christ is often seen most clearly in the love between His followers. The fruits of the Spirit are not trophies to sit on a shelf, but active steps in a dance. May we cultivate deep roots and strong friendships, knowing that we are stronger together than we are apart.
Prayer
Gracious and Holy Spirit, Giver of every good gift, we thank You for the nine fruits that flavor our lives with Your presence. On this day, we give thanks for the gift of friendship and the example of saints who walked together in unity. When our arms grow tired and our resolve fades, send us companions to share the burden and help us find our rhythm again. Grant us the humility to admit we cannot make this journey alone, and the grace to dance with joy alongside our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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