MORE ABOUT CHRISTMAS

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

                                                 

In this week’s blog let’s talk a little about the Christmas tree and its meaning.  I have been studying the different types and meaning of the Christmas tree. 

According to several different articles on the web it started in Germany by a man named Martin Luther.  As he was coming home from a late Christmas Eve church service he saw the starlight reflecting off the icicles on an evergreen tree.  He cut the tree down took it home and put candles on it.  He then used the tree to tell the story of the birth of Christ and how He is the light of the world. 

Another article wrote about an English monk St Boniface (Apostle of German) cut down a scared oak as to show the people there was not any spiritual power in nature itself and therefore thousands converted.

Others talk about the shape and the decorations we place upon our tree. The triangle shape tree represents the Trinity God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The evergreen represents the eternal life through Jesus.  The upward growth of the needles is as hand praising God.  We put light on the tree not only to make it glow but as a symbol of Jesus being the light of the world. The gifts we give are of charity and love.  The star reminds us of the 3 wise men that followed it from afar to find a babe in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. The angels help us to remember that they declared his birth to the shepherds in the fields watching their sheep. 

I am sure the tree has many more meanings than listed above. Your own Christmas tree also has  personal meanings, such as  special ornaments bought through the year, special lights, or special tree topper,  but this too reminds us of the family we love.  Either way the Christmas tree and the meaning of Christmas points to Love. 

God gave us Jesus which is the greatest gift of love ever known to man.  “For God so loved the world he gave his only son “.  So let other people see the light of Jesus shine through you just as the light on your Christmas that others may know him too.  

C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

C- Is for the Christ child

H- for herald angels in the night

R- Means our redeemer

I – means Israel

S-is for the star that shone so bright

T-is for the three wise men they who traveled far

M-

A-

S-

Check in the next few weeks to find the meaning of the other letters. 

 Luke 2:6-20

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Matthew 2

King James Version (KJV)

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

² Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

³ When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

⁵ And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

⁶ And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

⁷ Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

⁹ When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

¹² And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way