And this is the way to have eternal life—by knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth! John 17:3 TLB
This is the week of hope and as much as a light shinning in the darkness gives hope to a lost soul, so does seeing green trees growing in the winter when most trees are in an dormant state. The color green in Christmas represents life and can be seen in every evergreen, mistletoe and holly and seems to remind us that the hope of Spring is coming in a few short months. But that’s just the start of what they symbolize.
As we celebrate Advent, the main centerpiece is an evergreen or holly wreath with four candles and one in the middle. Every Sunday another one of the candles in the wreath is lit until Christmas Eve when the center candle is lit proclaiming Jesus’ birth. As we light the candle for the week with its theme we are also reminded that the symbols of Christmas are to keep us focused on Jesus. Yesterday we saw that Christmas lights remind us not only that Jesus is the Light of the world, but that we now are His light bearers to this dark world.
Today we are reminded that when we see the evergreens, holly and mistletoe that remains ever green even in the harshest of conditions, that Jesus came to give us everlasting life, when we accept and receive Him. No matter how bad things may get, including death, we still will be alive with Him. When we see a Christmas tree pointing upward to heaven we are reminded He is the glory and lifter of our heads (Psalm 3:3) and that we are to lift up holy hands (Psalm 63:4). The wreaths remind us that of His love there is no end (Jeremiah 31:3). The Holly tells of His death and resurrection, with their pointed leaves for the nails that pierced Him, and the red berries reminding us of His blood that says we are forgiven and the green shouts His resurrection and life.
Next time you see these beautiful symbols, remember what they truly stand for and share their meaning with others. Then they too can enjoy them and their beauty pointing to Jesus. Then they may tell others so they will know the amazing love of God that leads them to eternal life.
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