It's Time To Decorate!
Christmas is coming and it's time to decorate! Last night we all met at the church to put up this year's Christmas Decorations. Decorating for Christmas can be one of the most enjoyable traditions associated with the upcoming holiday, but it can also be stressful. Looking around we see decorations that we have long taken for granted. Do we even know what the meanings are behind these decorations? Or do we just put them up because we always have? Getting familiar with these symbols is a great way to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas, and to understand what's actually celebrated on December 25.
The Christmas Tree
Long ago many pagan cultures worshipped trees. They saw them as symbols of immortality and used them to ward off evil spirits. In the early 700's Saint Boniface, who was responsible for converting the German people to Christianity, demolished the Oak of Thor, the mighty sacred tree worshipped by the Saxons. From its roots grew a fir tree which Boniface took as a sign of the Christian faith.
The Evergreen Fir Because the fir tree is green year-round, the evergreen tree we use as a Christmas Tree symbolizes perseverance and gives hope. It reminds us of Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." The tree's needles and its narrow crest point upward, turning our thoughts to heaven. Because the tree is cut down and then erected again, it is a symbol of Christ's resurrection.
Ornaments During the 11th century, the tree became a symbol of the tree of Paradise and people started decorating it with red apples. Initially the apples used represented the forbidden fruits, but later the trees were decorated with fruits to symbolize the Fruits of the Holy Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance.
Lights Around 1500, Martin Luther, inspired by a snow covered fir tree, brought a tree indoor and decorated it with candles in honor of Christ's birth. The candles symbolize Christ as the Light of the World. Later, the candles were replaced by electric lights, but the meaning was the same.
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
- John 8:12
"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
- John 1:5
Tree Topper Originally a star was placed on the top of the tree to represent the star that guided the Wise Men to Jesus the Christ Child in Bethlehem. Later many people began decorating the tree with an angel representing the angel who announced Christ's birth.
Holly
Holly is an extremely hardy shrub that can be grown in all fifty states of the United States, making it one of the very few plants that can withstand temperatures from 110 degrees F to -40 degrees F. Holly plants are noted for their attractive red berries and glossy, sharp-toothed green leaves which remain on the plant year round. The holly bush represents immortality, a trait that God has given to each human being. We are all destined to live forever, either with the Lord or forever separated from him. The sharp-tooth edge of the holly leaf reminds Christians of the crown of thorns with which the soldiers mocked Our Lord. They laughingly hailed Him as king, never realizing that He is, indeed, King of the universe. As a Christmas symbol, the red holly berry represents Christ's blood, shed for all people.
Bells
Bells represent the Joy of Christmas, but also to remind us that Christ is our High Priest. Jewish priests used to wear a blue robe under the ephod, and golden bells were attached to the hem of this robe.
Also bells, throughout the years, have been used to announce events. Bells were rung at the beginning of the church services to announce the start of the service. Some people use bells to proclaim the birth of Christ.
Candy Canes
The candy cane is shaped like a shepherd's crook, reminding us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who came into our world at Christmas. The red stripe symbolizes Christ's sacrifice and the white background symbolizes His purity.
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5
Candy canes have a peppermint flavor, reminiscent of hyssop which had medicinal purposes. "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" - Psalm 51:7 Jesus came to heal our ills and to purge us of sin. The peppermint flavor reminds us that our healing came at the price of Christ's life.
The candy cane is meant to be broken and shared, just as Jesus' Body is broken and shared at communion.
Gingerbread Man
The gingerbread man is to remind us of God's creation of Adam in the Garden of Eden, and God's creation of each of us. The gingerbread man does not create himself, but rather is created.
The spices used are the color of earth as Adam was created from the dust of the earth. Gingerbread people remind us to look beyond ourselves to our Creator with whom we will one day be united.
Wreaths
The Christmas wreath is usually colorful and welcoming. They are hung on the door or a window as an invitation to the spirit of Christmas and for Jesus the reason of the season to enter and bless the home. The shape, the circle, represents Christ's eternal love for us, for it has no beginning an no end.
The bow on the wreath is to remind us of unity. It represents tat all mankind is bound together in Christ's love.
Gifts
For many people, gifts are the main focus at Christmas, but we need to remember the greatest Gift - Jesus. The wise men who brought their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the infant King have inspired the concept of gift giving. God gives us gifts as well. He gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit which help us to follow God's direction in our lives.
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kings of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." - 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Although different traditions and decorations have been created around the world and in our houses as well. The true meaning of Christmas shouldn't be lost. Besides being a time of family and great joy, it's also the day when we celebrate Christ's birth, so let us all remember this.
