“And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.” (Mark 15:17) 

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 wreaths we see everywhere on doors and walls also have significant meaning.

Christmas wreaths

Wreaths represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus and the tiny red berries represent his blood.

“Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.” (John 19:1-16 ESV)

Therefore

When you see wreaths, they should remind you why the baby Jesus was born, why He was sent, and what He willingly suffered to bring redemption to the world and to you personally.

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” (1 Tim. 1:15 ESV)

“And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the Lord.”  (Zach. 4:20)

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. Even the sounds of Christmas can bring joy to your heart. When you hear the sound of jingle bells you can be reminded of the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace! When I hear Christmas bells, my mind returns to a familiar Christmas carol with a powerful message of peace on earth goodwill to men.

Christmas Bells

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem “Christmas Bells” by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The song tells of the narrator hearing Christmas bells during the American Civil War but despairing that “hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men”. After much anguish and despondency, the carol concludes with the bells ringing out with resolution that “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep” and that there will ultimately be “...peace on earth, good will to men.” 

Therefore

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14) 

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:20 ESV)

“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)

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. And, when we see wrapped presents, we can remember all kinds of gifts God has given us, especially the gift of His Son, Jesus, the greatest gift of all!

Gifts to remember and be thankful for 

·      The gift of Salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)

·      The gift of the Holy Spirit: “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 ESV)

·      Spiritual gifts for everyone: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Cor. 12:4-7)

·      God’s gifts are irrevocable: “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Eph. 2:8-9)

Therefore

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:” (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:6-7)

The reason for the season reminders all around us

Christmas decorations, and their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, Jesus. This is especially true of displaying the nativity scene.

Christmas Nativity Scene

Also known as a creche or manger scene, it is a representation of the birth of Jesus. It is an important symbol of the Christmas season and serves as a reminder of the significance of the holiday. The first known nativity scene was created by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223 to depict the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

The scene typically includes figures of Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, and various animals (no animals are actually listed as being there in the Bible). In addition, the scene may include shepherds, angels, and the three wise men (wisemen weren’t listed as being present at His birth, either, they appeared later on).  

Therefore 

When we see a nativity scene, we are reminded that it is displaying the Christmas story—the birthday of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. And it’s the promised good news and a time to rejoice and praise God, just as the great company of the heavenly host did on that wonderful day on the very first Christmas!

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:11-14)

“The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Gen. 2:8-9) 

The reason for the season reminders all around us

Over the last few days, we have been looking at Christmas decorations, and how their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, Jesus.

The Christmas tree

One of the first signs of the Christmas season to appear everywhere is the Christmas tree. There has been much debate regarding the use of them historically, especially since they were used by pagans to celebrate the winter solstice. However, some Christian historians claim that the Christmas tree has purely Christian origins, with its roots in the story of Adam and Eve and the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. They argue that the use of evergreen trees during Christmas symbolizes the eternal life that Jesus Christ offers and that decorated trees remind them of many Christian truths about Him.

Jesus, a new branch bearing fruit

In prophecy, Isaiah compared Jesus to a tree by relaying, “Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot—yes, a new branch bearing fruit from the old root.” (Isa. 11:1). The reminder that Jesus came from the lineage of David is like a seed coming from a family tree.

The tree’s shape

The Christmas tree being in the shape of a triangle was thought to represent the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18–19). The upward-pointing branches often symbolize praise to God.

A resurrection symbol 

Christmas trees can serve as a metaphor for the fact that Jesus died and rose again in splendor in the same way a tree was cut down to its own death to be placed upward again in glory and splendor.

The decorations on the tree

For many Christians, candles or lights on the tree signify how Jesus came as the light into the world. The star placed atop the tree represents the star the wise men followed to Bethlehem (Matt. 2:9). Some believe that the Protestant revolutionary Martin Luther started lighting candles in trees after walking through the woods on a snowy night. The sight of the moon hitting the snow-glistened trees reminded him of the light of Christ that came down from heaven. It was also this experience that inspired him to pen the lyrics to the 1535 Christmas hymn, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come.“

Therefore

Use everything about Christmas trees to remind you of God’s Word, the tree of life, and about Jesus, who He is, His glory, and what He came for!

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” (Rev. 22:1-3 NIV)

“The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy.” (Luke 2:10) 

Holiday reminders

Most Christmas decorations are meant to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas. Over the last couple of days, we learned that the star reminds us of what the wisemen saw and that candy canes are shaped and colored the way they are to remind us about Jesus and what He did for us. Another decoration we often see at this time of the year is an angel. And angels played a prominent part in the Christmas story. 

Angel ornaments

Many people use beautiful, ornate angels to decorate the top of their tree or to hang along with other ornaments. They remind us of why we celebrate Christmas.

The angel, Gabriel, announced the birth of Jesus

“Six months after Elizabeth knew she was to become a mother, Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth. Nazareth was a town in the country of Galilee. He went to a woman who had never had a man. Her name was Mary. She was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. Joseph was of the family of David. The angel came to her and said, “You are honored very much. You are a favored woman. The Lord is with you. *You are chosen from among many women.” When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said. The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat. He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.” (Luke 1:26-33)

Angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds

“Shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem. They were taking turns watching their flock during the night. 9 An angel from the Lord suddenly appeared to them. The glory of the Lord filled the area with light, and they were terrified. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy.” (Luke 2:8-10)

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,” (John 19:14)

The various kinds of Christmas decorations that appear all around us during the holiday season should remind us of the real meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus. Yesterday, I told how the holiday star is a reminder of how the wisemen rejoiced when they saw the Bethlehem star (Matt. 2:10). Other decorations are reminders, too, such as candy canes, which are used for everything from Christmas tree decorations to yard ornaments and stocking stuffers!

Candy canes

The shape and colors of candy canes serve as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.

Its shape

The candy cane shape is in the form of the letter “J” for Jesus. Canes are also shaped like a shepherd's crook, which is associated with two significant figures in the Bible: the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus and Jesus himself, as the Good Shepherd caring for his flock (see John 19:14).

Its colors

The red and white colors of candy canes have significant meanings. The white color represents purity and innocence, reflecting Jesus’ sinless nature (1 Peter 2:22). The red stripes are a symbol of his sacrifice, with red resembling the blood shed on the cross (Matt. 27:45-54).

Therefore

When we see candy canes during Christmas time, we should be reminded of who Jesus is, why He came, and what He did for us on the cross.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:11-18).

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matt. 2:10)

Christmas decorations are appearing everywhere!

Yes, many people just stick decorations up willy-nilly without giving thought to what they represent. But not me. When I see the decorations, I picture in my mind a great heavenly celebration that’s about the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. I especially love seeing lighted stars; they remind me of how the wisemen reacted when they saw the Bethlehem star and “rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matt. 2:10). I use the decorations I see as a reminder of what it was like on that wonderful day when Christ was born and of the angelic multitude rejoiced together before the shepherds tending their flocks nearby.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (Rom. 12:10)

Don’t become distracted

It’s easy to get caught up in holiday preparations and distracted from the reason for the season, which is, of course, Jesus. There’s an example of this happening in Scripture. Two sisters, Mary and Martha, had Jesus and His disciples visit their home. One of the sisters, Mary, was focused only on Jesus and sat at His feet as He spoke. And the other sister, Martha, was distracted by the meal preparation and became irritated that Mary wasn’t helping her. Martha then complained about it to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me” (Luke 10:40). He said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). 

Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong, actually. She was just working to get food preparation done. But the better thing, as Jesus pointed out, was to focus on Him. If she had done that, she wouldn’t have been stressed out. Similarly, learning to focus on what is most important during the holiday season, and prioritizing your time, accordingly, will remove much stress.

The most important things

Make it your goal to put Jesus first during the Christmas season (see Matthew 6:33 for another wonderful promise). And use the Christmas season as an opportunity to focus genuinely on loving and honoring each other (see the verse at top). You will enjoy the season so much more!