But then something happened: God our Savior and His overpowering love and kindness for humankind entered our world; 5 He came to save us. It’s not that we earned it by doing good works or righteous deeds; He came because He is merciful. He brought us out of our old ways of living to a new beginning through the washing of regeneration; and He made us completely new through the Holy Spirit, 6 who was poured out in abundance through Jesus the Anointed, our Savior. Titus 3:4-6
Yesterday we focused on the meaning of the evergreens during Advent. Today we’re going to look at the flowers of Christmas that tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Although they are very familiar and we see them when we enter a grocery store in their floral department, their meaning goes unnoticed. But hopefully today, that will change for you and you will share with others the beauty of Jesus in these plants.
My Mom is an avid plant person and she loves Poinsettia’s and has collected the many varieties over the years. The most familiar Christmas plant, just cries out the story of our Savior. Although most people see them as a Christmas plant because of their red and green, there is so much more than their vibrant colors. each flower is in the shape of a star, announcing the birth of Jesus. In the middle is a bright yellow stamen with multiple points representing the crown of thorns He wore at His crucifixion and the nails. Of course the red color is to remember the blood He shed for the forgiveness of our sins, If you happen to break a leaf or petal off you will see milky white liquid that reminds us that His purity has washed and cleansed us from all unrighteousness.
But the Poinsettia isn’t the only flower that tells us of His life. The Christmas cactus boasts flowers that resemble bells to ring in His birth. The Amaryllis is in the shape of a trumpet announcing to the shepherds the King has been born! Cyclamen unfurl like angels wings amongst the silvery leaves that remind us we are redeemed by His sacrifice for silver is the color of redemption, Paperwhites not only are like twinkling stars, but they exude a beautiful fragrance to remind us of the gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh. And last the Winter Honeysuckle that grows outside in the cold and seems to say it all. The white flower shows His purity and resembles a trumpet and angels wings, their stamens look like nails. The evergreen leaves reminding us that His love is everlasting. And finally the red berries for the blood He shed and emits a beautiful fragrance to remind us that we are now the sweet aroma of Christ to God.
I hope this Christmas time when you see these flowers that you will remember if we look, we can see Jesus showing His love to us in His creation.
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