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Symbols of
Christmas
Anita Saunders, Calvary
Missions
Christmas! A time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. A tiny baby born 2000 years ago in a humble stable. The King
of kings and Lord of lords came to save us from our sin and bring us into a
right relationship with God.
Christmas is such a wonderful celebration. Many of us put up a tree,
we decorate the tree with ornaments, we decorate our homes and we exchange
gifts. However, so many people who do not believe in Christ do these
same things. As Christians, have we embraced the world's celebration of
Christmas? Is all of this just meaningless tradition? Some
Christians will say that to have a tree is what the pagans do and will insist
that we must not participate in such "frivolity." I disagree!
I am so thankful for the freedom in Christ to worship and honor Him in a
multitude of ways.
When my children were very small, I wanted them to enjoy all the fun things
about Christmas that I enjoyed as a child, but I also wanted them to
understand the truth of what Christmas is all about. I struggled with some
questions about the type of Christmas we would celebrate in our home.
Questions like: "When we decorate the tree and exchange gifts, are we
glorifying Christ or are we merely doing the same as the world does?"
"What do my children think about and reflect upon when gazing at the
beautiful tree and gifts?"
I prayed and asked the Lord to show me how to make our family's Christmas one
that honors Him.
I would like to share with you what I learned.
In Exodus 12 when God teaches the children of
Israel about celebrating the Passover, He made it very clear that they should
teach their children the meaning of the celebration...it is important that
children understand what they are celebrating. Exodus 12:26 & 27 says
And it shall be , when your children say to you, "What do you mean by
this service? that you shall say, "It is the Passover sacrifice of the
Lord..." The scriptures go on to explain that the parents are to
explain what the Passover means and all the symbols of the service.
As Christian parents our family celebrations should honor God in spirit and in
truth. (John 4) God wants our children and us to understand and
truly appreciate the joy of our celebrations.
Each Christmas when we set up our Christmas tree, we would talk with the
children about the meaning of the various parts of the tree. As each
ornament was hung on the tree, the children would speak of its special
significance.
Below you will read what our our family has embraced as the meanings for
the decorations in our home at Christmas.
Letıs look at the symbols we use to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
**The Christmas tree...We use an evergreen tree, never changing, the same
yesterday and today, always green. This represents eternity. The
evergreen tree is a reminder of eternal life. The arms of the tree
reaching out to hold the beautiful ornaments.
John 3:16..."For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
"
Hebrews 13:8..."Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."
Deut. 33:27..."The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the
everlasting arms...."
**The Lights...Held in the arms of the tree are the lights that shine out in a
darkened room. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus tells his believers that "you are
the light of the world." We are few, but we are to shine with the
love of Christ to a world that is dark with sin. Jesus also said in John 8:12
that "I am the light of the world. He who
follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life."
The lights are precious reminders of who Christ is and who He has called us to
be.
**The Colors of Christmas...Letıs look at the colors of Christmas... we have
already talked about the green of the tree. I think there are 4 other main
colors: Red, white, gold and silver.
*Red and white, so many people think
of the red and the white as the colors for the suit that Santa Claus wears.
No! The red is for the precious blood that Jesus shed for my sin...for
your sin. The white is for the purity that the blood of Christ brings when
our sins are washed away.
Isaiah 1:18 .."Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as
snow ;though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
1 John 1:7..."If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us
from all sin."
Psalm 51:7..."Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I
shall be whiter than snow."
The Christmas colors of red and white should always remind us that we are washed
cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus. We stand before him pure, in
garments of righteousness...we have peace with God. Red and white
mean so much more than a Santa Claus suit.
*Gold and Silver... bring to mind royalty. We decorate with the gold and silver
tinsel and jewel like decorations and we are reminding ourselves and
others that Jesus is King of Kings! Jesus is Lord of Lords!
Psalm 10:16...The Lord is King for ever and ever.
1Timothy 1:17...Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible; to God
who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.
Jesus is King Eternal...King forever and the gold, silver and shiny ornaments we
hang remind us of that truth. Revelation 21 tells us that there is coming one
day a New Kingdom...New Jerusalem will be constructed with gold, jasper,
sapphire, emeralds, and other precious stones. As we "construct"
our beautiful tree we can be reminded of what God has planned for us, His
beloved children. The royal
colors remind us of who we are in Christ.
I Peter 2:9..."You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation. His own special people , that you may proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
**The Ornaments we hang on our trees...Just as God holds us in his loving arms,
the tree holds a variety of beautiful ornaments. Have you ever thought of
Jesus as being the first Christmas ornament?
I Peter 2:24 & Acts 5:30...remind us that Jesus hung on a tree...
The red balls we hang on our tree can remind us of the precious drops of
blood that fell from that tree on Calvary's hill.
The white ornaments remind us of our sin washed away because of what Jesus
has done for us.
The different colors and the unique designs represent you and me... the body of
Christ. We come from around the world with our unique cultures, our
talents and our different personalities. Some are young and some are
old...all are precious in His sight. Some of us are very simple and some
are very ornate. We are all different colors and even different sizes .
And we are all like beautiful ornaments .
**Bells... Bells are a special part of Christmas. Their sound is joyful, full of
life, and a call to celebrate!
Exodus 28 and 39 tell us that bells were sewn into the priestly garments for the
worship services. The bells were used in worship and worn by the
priest who entered the holy place. The jingling of the bells signified life!
Psalm 51:8... the psalmist says that when His sins are forgiven he will hear
"joy and gladness." Bells are a reminder of the life of
joy and gladness we have in the forgiveness of Christ! Even a simple song like
"Jingle Bells" can be sung with a heart of thanksgiving to the Lord
when we are celebrating the joy and gladness we have in Christ.
**Stars and Angels...Stars and Angels declared the birth of Christ. The Star of Bethlehem
was the very means by which God began to send out the news that He had
sent His Son for our salvation. Though we may not actually view that star in the
skies above us, without a doubt He places that "star" in our lives, as
He begins to draw us to Him.
Matthew 2:2...The wise men from the east said, "Where is He who has been
born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come
to worship Him."
Matthew 2:10..."When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly
great joy."
From Luke 2:8 -15... "Behold, an Angel of the Lord stood before the
shepherds...the glory of the Lord shone around them"...The Angel told
them,... "Do not be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of great joy!"
... And the angels praised God saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peach, goodwill toward men!"
Stars and Angels declared His birth and they will declare His coming again!
Revelation 22:16..."I, Jesus have sent My Angel to testify t you these
things in the churches. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright
and Morning Star."
**Gifts...Beneath the Christmas tree we place beautifully wrapped gifts.
They are different sizes and shapes. We all love to give gifts and
to receive gifts. What should our Christmas gifts represent? The
Bible speaks of gifts in many ways. The wise men brought gifts to Baby Jesus.
Matthew 2:11..tells us when "they saw the child, they fell down and
worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented
gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
So often people think of the gold, the frankincense and myrrh as the precious
gifts that were offered, but what so many fail to notice is the most
precious gift we can give, is to worship the Lord.
Romans 12:1 & 2 ...says we are to "present our bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable form of worship."
The greatest gift can never come from us. God is the great gift giver.
Ephesians 2:8..."For by grace you have been saved through faith, and
that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."
James 1:17 tells us that "every good and perfect gift comes from
God."
Each time we receive a Christmas gift may we be reminded that the greatest
gift we have ever received; Jesus. The greatest gift of all was God's
own Son.
A true gift is given freely...never earned. One must only receive the gift
in order to enjoy it!
John 1:12..."But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to
become children of God, to those who believe in His name."
Our lives should be an expression of gratitude to God for His marvelous grace
and all that He has so freely bestowed upon us! Each time we wrap a Christmas
present and then give it, may we be reminded of the joy and privilege Christ has
given us in extending the love and grace of God to others.
2 Corinthians 9:15..."Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
God bless you all this Christmas as you celebrate in spirit and truth that Jesus
is the reason for this most wonderful season!
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