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Did You Know That There Are Hidden Treasures in the Symbols of Christmas?
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15601 E 24th Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99037, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Did you know that there are hidden treasures embedded in everyday symbols of Christmas?
There are a lot of Christmas symbols that revel Christ as savior.
Author Maria Hubert von Staufer wrote: There is a reason that most of us do not know the rich history surrounding the symbols of Christmas. During the Reformation and the later Civil War in the 16and 17th Centuries many of the customs surrounding certain celebrations were banned as “pagan.” When this occurred most ceremonies that had become customs were lost for several generations along with their religious significance and the reason behind them.
There is a new interest surfacing among contemporary Christians to the Biblical significance of many of the symbols contained in our celebration of Christmas.
If you are like most Christians, you struggle with keeping Christ at the center of Christmas but there are a lot of symbols that could help you with that.
Author Maria Hubert von Staufer wrote: There is a reason that most of us do not know the rich history surrounding the symbols of Christmas. During the Reformation and the later Civil War in the 16and 17th Centuries many of the customs surrounding certain celebrations were banned as “pagan.” When this occurred most ceremonies that had become customs were lost for several generations along with their religious significance and the reason behind them.
There is a new interest surfacing among contemporary Christians to the Biblical significance of many of the symbols contained in our celebration of Christmas.
If you are like most Christians, you struggle with keeping Christ at the center of Christmas but there are a lot of symbols that could help you with that.
My Mom had two traditions that kept Jesus at the center of our Christmas.
1. She would place the Bible at the center of the mantle on our fireplace and open it to Luke Chapter 2 which is the story of Jesus birth.
2. She would have us read the Christmas story before we opened presents and remind us that Jesus was the greatest Gift ever given.
1. She would place the Bible at the center of the mantle on our fireplace and open it to Luke Chapter 2 which is the story of Jesus birth.
2. She would have us read the Christmas story before we opened presents and remind us that Jesus was the greatest Gift ever given.
My goal today is to give you a little history behind some of the traditional symbols of Christmas. I hope that what I share with you will inspire you to develop some family traditions that will keep Christ at the center of your Christmas celebrations for years to come.
Here are four everyday symbols of Christmas:
1. The Christmas tree
2. The Ornaments
3. The Bells
4. Santa Claus
1. The Christmas tree
2. The Ornaments
3. The Bells
4. Santa Claus
The Christmas Tree
Trees are very important in Christian theology. Two of the most significant trees found in scripture would be the tree of life in the Garden of Eden and the tree of the cross on which Jesus paid the price for our redemption.
When you study the Word of God a little closer you will find that evergreen trees are key in the biblical revelation of redemption and restoration.
In his book Greentree Peter Bertolero writes: “Evergreens are biblical metaphors for reversal: They symbolize divine reversal from a state of accursedness and judgment to a state of blessedness and restoration.”
Trees are very important in Christian theology. Two of the most significant trees found in scripture would be the tree of life in the Garden of Eden and the tree of the cross on which Jesus paid the price for our redemption.
When you study the Word of God a little closer you will find that evergreen trees are key in the biblical revelation of redemption and restoration.
In his book Greentree Peter Bertolero writes: “Evergreens are biblical metaphors for reversal: They symbolize divine reversal from a state of accursedness and judgment to a state of blessedness and restoration.”
There are even scriptures that name two to three species of evergreen trees as prophetic signs of God’s promise to reverse the curse over the land and usher in an age of blessing. Those verses are found in Isaiah 41:17-20, 55:10-13 and 60:13.
The Ornaments
Many historians believe that the first Christmas tree tradition was birthed as a result of an 11th century play entitled, Paradise Tree.
Years later, many Christian families set up paradise trees in their homes as symbols of redemption through the birth of Jesus Christ. Because of the close association with the work of Christ, the paradise tree became known as the redemption tree.
A German craftsman solved the problem by making glass-blown pieces of fruit that were much lighter than actual fruit. These were the first artificial decorations that we still use today.
Many historians believe that the first Christmas tree tradition was birthed as a result of an 11th century play entitled, Paradise Tree.
Years later, many Christian families set up paradise trees in their homes as symbols of redemption through the birth of Jesus Christ. Because of the close association with the work of Christ, the paradise tree became known as the redemption tree.
A German craftsman solved the problem by making glass-blown pieces of fruit that were much lighter than actual fruit. These were the first artificial decorations that we still use today.
What does the ringing of Bells symbolize?
In medieval times bells somberly tolled an hour before midnight on Christmas Eve, warning the powers of darkness of the approaching birth of the ultimate Deliverer.
These ringing of bells symbolized two things:
1. It warned the devil and his demons to flee
2. It called Christians to rejoice and celebrate their victory through Jesus Christ
In medieval times bells somberly tolled an hour before midnight on Christmas Eve, warning the powers of darkness of the approaching birth of the ultimate Deliverer.
These ringing of bells symbolized two things:
1. It warned the devil and his demons to flee
2. It called Christians to rejoice and celebrate their victory through Jesus Christ
Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas of Myra was a Catholic Bishop who lived over 15 centuries ago. His tradition of selfless giving toward people in need left a mark on Church history.
Though his name has been changed and his image distorted, he represents the Father of Christmas, Father God, who gave us the gift of His Son Jesus Christ.
Saint Nicholas of Myra was a Catholic Bishop who lived over 15 centuries ago. His tradition of selfless giving toward people in need left a mark on Church history.
Though his name has been changed and his image distorted, he represents the Father of Christmas, Father God, who gave us the gift of His Son Jesus Christ.
The more you know about Christ the more you see Him in Christmas.
I want to encourage you to come up with some Christmas traditions that will point your children and family toward Christ. That could be a Bible on the mantel or a simple prayer before the opening of presents.
Help your children to discover Christ in the songs and the bells. Tell them that person of Santa Claus was real and that he loved Jesus with all his heart.
When we understand that the historical significance in these Christmas symbols point to the most important Gift of all, Jesus.
I want to encourage you to come up with some Christmas traditions that will point your children and family toward Christ. That could be a Bible on the mantel or a simple prayer before the opening of presents.
Help your children to discover Christ in the songs and the bells. Tell them that person of Santa Claus was real and that he loved Jesus with all his heart.
When we understand that the historical significance in these Christmas symbols point to the most important Gift of all, Jesus.