“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thess 3:5)

Are you glad Christmas is over?

The day after Christmas, a pastor stopped into a big department store to purchase something he needed. He struck up a conversation with the manager who happened to be helping him, and he said, “Are you glad Christmas is over?” And the manager replied, “Well no, because it’s my job to remove every trace of Christmas in the entire store until the next holiday season, and that’s a daunting job.” The pastor said, “My job is the exact opposite: to keep Christmas strong in the hearts of my congregation for the entire year, and that too is a daunting job.”

Yes, it’s definitely hard for that pastor to keep Christmas in the hearts of his congregation once all the holiday reminders, such as decorated trees in every window, wreathes on doors, carols playing everywhere, and the colored lights on buildings suddenly disappear. Once gone, it all goes away quickly.

Remaining steadfast in Christ

I heard about a child who fell out of bed in the middle of the night. His parents asked him what happened. And he said sleepily, “I must have stayed too close to where I got in.” That’s a picture of what happens to a new believer who fails to grow. They will eventually become weak, lukewarm, and fall away if they don’t grow by surrounding themselves with the things that will move them forward and focus on Christ, like Bible study, spending time in prayer, attending a Christ-centered church, and fellowshipping with other Christians.

Therefore

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV) 

“For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” (Heb. 3:14)

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” (Isa. 9:6-7 ESV)

Therefore

Today, millions will awaken to find presents under their tree, ready to open. The perfect gift, however, came from above. And that is Jesus!

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)

“And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,” (Heb. 5:9h

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 ESV)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, which is Jesus. During the holiday season you see the word “JOY”everywhere, on Christmas cards, on decorations, and many other places. It’s a reminder of what the angel said to Mary, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” 

Therefore

During the holiday season remember to reflect the angel’s proclamation of joy to others, especially remember to encourage others with love and affection.

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (Phil. 2:1-2)

“For you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thess. 2:20)

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, which is Jesus.

Snow has become a part of Christmas traditions, you see it on cards and sing about it in carols.

Snow can represent purity

Snow isn’t mentioned in the Bible as being present at the Birth of Jesus. However, snow still can remind us of Jesus, His sinless birth and purity. He forgives our sins and makes us white as snow.  

Therefore

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isa. 1:18 ESV)

“whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:25-26 ESV)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, which is Jesus. This is especially true of holly, its structure, its berries, and its colors—the evergreen quality of the holly tree is metaphoric for eternal life. Holly's sharp leaves are said to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Christ, while the berries represent his blood.

Therefore

When we see holly during the holiday season, it should remind us of Jesus, His mission, and the eternal life He provided for us.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:e8-40)

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal. 2:20 ESV)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations, colors, and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, which is Jesus. 

Christmas colors

Red and green, the traditional colors of Christmas, have significant meaning at Christmas time.  

·      Red - Red is the color which represents the blood Jesus shed for us. “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:28)

·      Green - Green signifies the eternal life that we have because of the sacrifice of Christ. “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (1 John 5:11)

Therefore

When you see the green and red colors of Christmas you can use it as a reminder to praise God personally for what He has done, and maybe, as an opportunity to share your faith with the lost.

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger...” (Luke. 2:12 KJV)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations and their symbolism remind us of the true reason for the season which is Jesus.

God’s perfect gift of love!  

Ribbons and bows are everywhere during the Christmas season, on gifts, wreathes, tree adornments, on swags, and many other places, and act as reminders that Jesus is God’s perfect gift to us—at His birth, the baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes, which were small ribbons of cloth.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but shall have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Therefore

When we see Christmas bows and ribbons, they should remind us of God’s wonderful gift of Jesus, binding us together in love, goodwill, and unity.

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (Phil. 2:2)

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, Jesus. Advent candles were originally part of the holiday wreath tradition and the two are often combined as part of a long-standing Christmas tradition.

Christmas Advent Candles

The four candles symbolize the number of weeks for Advent. Traditionally, three of these candles stand for prayer, penance and preparation.The other candle is lit on the last Sunday of Advent and signals a time of rejoicing.  

In short, the light of the Advent candles symbolizes Jesus Christ as “the light of the world.”

Therefore

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV)

“…the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Luke 3:22)

The reason for the season reminders all around us 

Christmas decorations and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, Jesus.

The dove

The dove is often used on holiday cards and decorations and has become a symbol of peace.

When you see a dove at Christmas, remember it is…

·      A Gifts of love - Following the Three Wise Men who brought gold, myrrh, and frankincense as gifts to the baby Jesus, shepherds bore more modest gifts such as doves. 

·      It represents the Spirit of God – “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,” (Matt. 3:16)

·      It represents your value to God - “When you lie down among the sheepfolds, You are like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And its pinions with glistening gold.” (Psalm 68:13)

·      It is a symbol of purity - “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16)

·      It is a symbol of innocence - “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt. 19:16)