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.
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.
The next 30 days for a lot of people will be the busiest time of year preparing for that perfect Christmas gift. Shopping in crowded stores, looking at catalogs, shopping on line.
The best gift you can give anyone is telling them about Jesus. For your unsaved friend, coworker or relative their best gift would be receiving Jesus as their Savior.
For your Christian loved ones a time of fellowship, a phone call or a message. Your time is more precious than any gift you could possibly buy.
Enjoy the Christmas season but don’t forget the best gift ever given…..Jesus.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and was very old. She was a widow, for her husband had died when they had been married only seven years.
Probably, after her husbands death, Anna would have been encouraged to get married again and have children. Anna, chose to stay single. She chose to serve the Lord. She chose to fast and pray, worshiping the Lord day and night. She told people the news of the Savior that was coming, no matter how long it might be before he came. She knew her purpose and she didn’t let anyone’s opinions or comments keep her from it. Then Anna saw Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the temple and knew her purpose had been fulfilled.
Luke 2:36-38 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption i
Center for Evangelists 
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