For centuries, bells have been rung to announce the arrival of the Christmas season.
They symbolize the announcement of the birth of Jesus when angels in heaven praised God and declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14
Candles are a tradition of Christmas. Before electricity they were used to light Christmas trees, as well as light for the home after dark. Today, we use them as decorations. We scent them with Christmas smells, pine, peppermint and others to make our homes smell like Christmas.
The Christian meaning of the candle is that Jesus is the light of the world. We no longer walk in darkness of sin when we accept Jesus as our Savior.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Mistletoe symbolizes the love we are able to offer to others only because of Christ who “first loves us.”
This year, tell family and friends about the true meaning of mistletoe. Be sure to let them know that the corresponding kiss is a symbol of peace, romance and the love of a Heavenly Father who sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross, was buried and rose again on the third day, as the payment for all our sins.
God’s love for us is the true meaning of Christmas.
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
In Indiana, a candy maker wanted to make a candy that could be a reminder of Jesus Christ, so he made the Christmas candy cane. He started off with a stick of pure white hard candy. The white color symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and the hard candy symbolized the solid rock which was the foundation of the church, and firmness of the promises of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a J, which represented the name of Jesus and the staff of the Good Shepherds. He then stained it with three stripes which showed the scourging Jesus received, and symbolized the blood shed by Christ on the cross. When you break the cane, it reminds us that Jesus’ body was broken for us.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
The wreath has significant meaning for the season. It’s circular shape represents eternity, for it has no beginning and no end.
For a Christian, it represents an unending circle of life. The evergreen, most frequently used in making wreathes, symbolizes growth and everlasting life.
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.
John 10:28-30
One of the beautiful symbols of Christmas is the pointsettia plant that we like to decorate with for the holiday. In Florida and other warm climates the plants grow and bloom in December.
The shape reminds us of the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. The red color the precious blood of Jesus, shed for us, the only we can have our sins forgiven. White plants, a symbol of Jesus’ purity.
The poinsettia, a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
What a wonderful verse to start with for the month of December! God does supply all our needs.
Some people have abundance of money and material things. Others have very little. The Christmas season is a time for giving. It is not the cost of the gifts, it is the gift given from the heart that counts.
A phone call, letter or an invitation for a meal can mean more than the most expensive present in the world. Your time with your friends and family is the most meaningful gift you can give.
God wants the same thing. You can give a large offering, go to church or do some charity work, but the most important thing you can give to God is time to read His word, pray and then tell someone else about His special gift, the Lord Jesus.
Center for Evangelists 
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