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

Better to keep quiet

James:1:20 For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Anger is in no way beneficial. It neither brings the righteousness that God desires in your life. For anger almost always results in sin. And it comes as a result of sin. Anger leads to bitterness. Anger leads to fits of rage. Anger leads to lack of love. - results in sin. Anger comes out of selfishness. Anger comes out of bitterness. Anger comes out of holding on to your selfish point. Anger comes out of not letting go. - comes as a result of sin. Nor does it bring the righteousness that God desires in their life. The one on whom it is angered upon - he/ she will discipline oneself may be out of fear. But not long lasting. Not out of clear insight or understanding. Not out of love. Then there is the righteous anger which Jesus had in the temple. A genuine outpouring of judgement on seeing what is wrong. But will you be able to draw the line? Therefore be slow to anger. Refrain. There i...
1 comment
Read more

Husband and wife

Unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. 1 Pet:3:4 Though this is told to the wives; it is a very good admonition for all of us. To have a gentle and quiet spirit, is an incomparable unfading inner beauty. The real beauty is not your outwardly appearance. Real beauty is your inner spirit - to be gentle and quiet. Not to be quarrelsome. Not to be picking fights. But to be a peacmaker. especially in your family. V:1. Wives, in the same way, be submissive to your husbands. In which same way? The example is of Jesus. 2:23. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate, when He suffered He made no threats.  In this same way, wives be submissive to your husbands, no matter how well or bad they treat you. V:7. Husbands in the same way, be considerate, as you live with your wives.  In which same way? The example is again of Jesus. 3:7. Treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life. Like Jesus did to us. ...
1 comment
Read more

Mist

You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James:4:14 Life is so futile. And temporal. If you concentrate on what you are gonna get in this life. You will definitely be disappointed. Those temporary happinesses will not last long. Like a puff of smoke it will vanish. For you are made for eternity. Where as, if you invest in things which are eternal, which will last for eternity future, then that is a wise thing to do. The choice is yours. If you invest in worldly happinesses then you would be called wise by the world and a fool by God. Look at the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12. It was a wise thing that he did, to invest wisely, to break down his old small barn and build a bigger one. He invested wisely according to the world. But God calls him a fool. But if you invest in Godly things, God will call you wise eventhough the world will call you a fool..... Who do you want to call you wise? The choice is yours. But the consequence is also yours. A ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Painful

Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials ofany kind. James:1:2 How can you be joyous when you face trials? You know for sure that God is in control. You know that God will work on your favour because you are His beloved. All things God works for your good. You know that God will bring about a solution. These are good reasons to be joyous. But apostle James tells even more better reasons. Persevere during testing times. Cling on to God during these difficult times. Because perseverance when it finishes it's working, you will become mature and complete. Your character will change because of that perseverance. You will become more Christ like. Just as He desired you to be. Complete. Just like silver is purged of gross when it goes through fire. It is difficult for the silver. Painful. Nothing complete happens for the silver which jumps out of the refinery. It remains unpurged. Therefore cling on. Hold on. Hold fast to the One who allows you to go through this. He will...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why don't they react?

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Pet:3:9 This is the highlight of true Christianity. Those who have known Christ in person. They beat them, they torture them, ridicule them, put them in prison, for doing good, for starting schools and colleges and hospitals, for bringing them to peace with their Creator God, leading to joy. They persecute them for no valid reason. Yet, you do not see retaliation. You do not see revolt. You do not see any bloodshed or pay back. There is absolute silence while facing persecution. Why? Why do they not react? Why do they keep quiet? Why they do not even defend themselves? Because they have a big Brother who showed them how to do. When persecuted and tortured for no good reason of His, He exuberated that love and peace and joy from His Father, from a world that they look forward unto. They know they are loved. They know these are small in ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Draw near

Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. James:4:8 Come out of your rebellion. Stop taking the driver's seat. Draw near to Him. Be miserable, mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom (v:9) Be serious about your rebellious nature and seriously repent. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord. (v:10) A repentant mournful heart is always better than a rebellious pseudojoyous heart. In Christ alone is your complete joy. Repent of your rebellious ways and reinstate with Him. Humble yourself in God's presence. You are nobody big. You are nobody significant unless God is on your side. Keep yourself at His feet. Because of your sin, you do not even deserve it. But God has been gracious. Always be aware of this. Always humble yourself in reverential submission to the One who saved you.  Image courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/groups/catholic.arts/posts/1873121323144539/
Post a Comment
Read more

One Man, once for all

For Christ died for sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 1 Pet:3:18 How is one man dying, beneficial for all? Because He is rich in life and righteousness. Unendingly righteous that all unrighteous would be pardoned. He who knew no sin, became sin for us. The Son of God became the wrath of God, so that the wrath of God would be made sons of God. This exchange, this imputation is too good to be true. It is valid for you only if you receive. It has already been done for you, but if you wouldn't receive it is not relevant for you. Dear one, if you are in that borderline, now is the day. Put your trust in Jesus and be saved. Image credit: https://winningwalk.org/read/articles/at-the-foot-of-the-cross
Post a Comment
Read more