Skip to main content

Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas everyone

Christmas is the best time of the year. There is joy, there is homecoming, there is sharing, there are cakes and appam and stew, there are lots of crackers. The year ends with a bang. Rejuvinated and renewed we go into the new year.

I was often biased of the symbols of Christmas. I always thought they are remnants of customs and praxis. They are actually ghosts of what our forefathers meant with good intention, lost the purpose, yet stay as ornaments.
I thought it was worthwhile to revisit what the symbols exactly mean.

1. Star - Star signifies the bright new star that appeared on the sky during Jesus birth. The wise men were led to Jesus by the star.
Thus the symbol star signifies, the pointer to Jesus, the real morning star.
2. Candles - when there was no electricity, candles were used to light up the whole place. Now they have slowly given way to multicoloured LED lights and illuminations. Candles and decorative lights signify that Jesus is the light of the world. The light of the world came down on to the earth to save us. He Himself claimed that He is the light the world needed.

3. Tree - It's not just a tree, it's actually evergreen tree. Its a fir tree that stays green althroughout the year. An evergreen tree reminds us of the eternal life and everlasting hope that we have in Christ Jesus.

4. Gifts - Gifts are always source of joy because it's a time of sharing. The best gift we have is Christ redeeming us from our sins. There was no hope for us. Salvation is the best thing that happened in our lives.

5. Holly - Holly plant signifies immortality. And it also reminds us of the thorn filled crown that was placed on Christ's head. And the red berries reminds us of the drops of blood that was shed for us.

6. Wreath - signifies the unending love Christ has for us. Not expecting anything from us. But unconditional agape love.

There are many more symbols which has its own meaning and significance. Like the candy canes, stockings, bells, Santa and so on. 
But the best symbol we often forget is the cross. All the others point to this.

My friend Cherry says - The best gift is not found under a Christmas tree but on the wooden cross on Calvary.
There is no meaning of Christmas without the cross. 
Unless the blood that was shed on the cross doesn't mean everything to you, Christmas in all its galore is useless. 

Wishing you once again a meaningful Christmas
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Name

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Joel:2:32 In His name there is salvation. And if you call on His name you will be saved for sure.  Jesus.  Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end.  In Him and through Him and for Him everything was created.  Son of God.  Son of David.  Root of Jesse.  Lion of Judah. The Lamb who was slain.  In His name there is freedom. In His name there is deliverance.  Why?  Because He alone has done the redemptive act on the cross. No other name could do that. Sinless perfect lamb of God became a sin offering instead of me.  He alone is worthy to do that. Therefore His name frees. His name delivers. His name saves. Jesus.  Image credit:   https://www.photoland.in/product/wood-arts/wooden-name-plate/personalized-name-board-name-plate-wooden-engraved-name-plate-design-10/
Post a Comment
Read more

Keep your promise forever

Ps:146:6 He keeps every promise forever.  Everyone loves promises. It is even more beautiful when the promise is fulfilled.  God is a God of promises and He is faithful. What He promises He always fulfills. Not even one goes wayward.  There is no doubt about the general promises He makes in the Bible. One by one we see them fulfilled through the story of Israel and early church.  There are enough and more personal promises which are staring at you face on. He is faithful to fulfill all of them too forever. It is upto us to believe and live a peaceful life trusting in the One who called us. Rather than like a high tension wire, ready to snap.  Can we believe - He will take care. He is enough. He is sufficient. He is faithful. He never changes. He will not sleep nor will He slumber. He keeps His promises forever. Amen.  Image credit:  https://everydaypower.com/promise-quotes/
Post a Comment
Read more

Rain

For the rain He sends demonstrates His faithfulness Joel:2:23 The rain keeps coming. Season after season. Showers of blessings. Not mercy drops. It proves He is a good God. He is fully in control. He cares for us.  We can see rains as either a curse or as a blessing. How we see it and acknowledge it increases our faith to Him who is faithful. He continues to shower His blessings no matter what the circumstances are. For He is always good. He is always merciful. He is always faithful. Open our eyes and see.  Image credit:  https://www.britannica.com/science/rain
Post a Comment
Read more

When you don't have anything else to do......

In the fish's belly Jonah was there for three days and three nights. In that dark place, he could only look to God. He could not run away, which he was so specialized in. He couldn't do anything else which he was an expert. He couldn't do anything he wanted to desperately do. All he could do was to sit in God's presence.  Sometimes God places you in circumstances where you can only pray. You can do nothing else. And at that time, please pray. Do not try to do anything else. Even if you do not feel like praying, that is the time when you are supposed to. Helpless as you are, you can open up to your Father. Words do not matter at that time. Even a drop of tear is enough. You might not be a prolific pray-er. But remember the Father is always listening.  Image credit:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/man-praying-on-knees
1 comment
Read more

RRRR

Obadiah 20-21 As Edom receives all punishments, Israel is blessed. Israel is chosen to come back from exile. From the ends of the earth, they are called back into God's bosom.  They -  Return Resettle Rescued Rule Not because they repented and came back to the Lord. Even before they repented, He paved the way back. The door was already kept open for coming back. The choice had to be made though for them to actually return, to resettle, to be rescued, to rule. They had to make that choice. Yet the road was already set to accept them back. There was no uncertainty whether God would allow.  The cross has already paved the way, the ship has already been set for return, for bringing them back. But I have to board the ship. If I don't, the loss is all mine. The ship with all its aboard passengers will sail to the  promised shore, for sure.  Jesus is calling- to return, to resettle, to be rescued and to rule. Will you accept?  Image credit:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/cr
Post a Comment
Read more

Damascus

O Damascus. You have sinned again and again. You have bet down my people in Gilead. You have threshed the grains with iron sledges (Amos:1:3). You have been cruel. You have been rebellious.  But in that road to you O Damascus. I will raise up my most used servant. He himself had tortured my own children, my own church. But I will give one opportunity which he cannot resist. Instead of the blood he shed, I will enable him to win souls for me. In that road to you, O Damascus, the cruel Saul will become the gentiles' Paul.  Through you O Damascus I will prove yet again that my hand is not too short to rescue anyone whom I want to save. No pit is too dark that I can't go there to redeem. The cross is the reason. The world will know, O Damascus through you. You will know, O Damascus because of the change you will see in yourself.  Through you O Damascus, everyone will see that the worst of sin that they have committed will be forgiven. No matter how dirty they are, they
Post a Comment
Read more

Delight

Ps:147:11 The Lord's delight is in those who fear Him If you delight in Him, He will delight in you. Oh! Is it like tit for tat?  No dear bard! He has already delighted in you. He has loved you while you were still His enemies. You are mine He declares. You are His signet ring, He proclaims.  Not because you fear Him. Not because He foreknew you would fear Him. But because He loves. Hosea was asked to marry a harlot and he continued to love her despite her unfaithfulness. Just like He continues to delight in you oh! Bard despite your persistance and adamancy. Oh! What love. Where else can you find such love.  Image credit:  https://butternutbakeryblog.com/moist-chocolate-cake/
Post a Comment
Read more