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 your kids 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 we need to rely on in order to find abundant life.
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.
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.
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.
From now until Christmas the blog will have some symbols of the season and interesting facts about The people and places surrounding Jesus birth.
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.
After the wise men’s visit, Joseph was warned in a dream to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt. Herod was seeking to kill Jesus and not getting a report back from the wise men he had all the young children in Bethlehem killed. But Jesus was safe and the little family stayed in Egypt until Herod was dead.
Then once again Joseph had a dream and returned but went to live in Nazareth where Jesus grew from childhood until He started His earthly ministry.
God’s Word is true. Every prophesy concerning Jesus birth was fulfilled down to the last detail. Many people leave Jesus in the manger as a baby but do not believe future events also predicted in the Bible. Jesus is the Messiah, He did die on the cross and He is coming again to rule and reign over all the world. Are you ready for a great future with Jesus the coming King?
Matthew 2:13-15 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
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
The Christmas story did not end with the birth of Jesus. That was just the beginning. The Bible records little about baby Jesus. We know He was taken to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord when Mary’s time of purification was over as the law of Moses commanded. A sacrifice of a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.
While at the temple Mary and Joseph met two people. Today we will talk about Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Luke 2:29-32
Center for Evangelists 
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