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

Divorce

It was not what God had originally intended Matt:19:8 Divorce was not originally intended by God. It was given because of the hard hearts of men. When God created human beings, He created them as male and female. He created them as one, as they join together in marriage. The two are united as one. And therefore no one should split apart what God has joined together.  Man and wife. Woman and husband - you have been in God's plan, before even you were created, before even time began He had you both together in His mind. There will be quarrels, differences of opinions, conflict of ideas. But that is not an excuse for you to go separate ways. God has created you as one, sees as one. May be it is near to impossible to live together. But trusting in the God who brought you together; stay on. Not just for the children's sake.  Love your neighbour as yourself. Who is your nearest neighbour than your spouse?  Love your enemies. He/she is definitely not your enemy. She is part of y...
1 comment
Read more

Defiles you

Matt:15:11 But what comes out of his mouth that is what makes him unclean.  The words that comes out of your mouth, particularly shows whether you are clean or unclean. These words are powered by what you feed and in turn what is in your heart. From the overflowing of your heart comes what you say or what you do.  Did we glorify God or defame God yesterday with our words? Claiming to be children of God, we have told words of faithlessness and unfaithfulness and anger and dissension and frustration.  Words of faith come from and ever trusting heart and faith is the only thing that pleases God.  If He has promised He will not leave you; that He will make everything for your good and that He will carry it on to completion; then He will do it for sure. Only if we believe it will we say words of faith and assurance. Otherwise our words will continue to be that of doubt and complaints and dissatisfaction.  Image credit:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/...
1 comment
Read more

Ignore

Matt:15:13-14 Jesus replied, Every plant not planted by my Heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them.  This is probably the key to joy. If you are a person who is affected by an irritating person in work place, or someone who is always there to bug you - ignore. Jesus doesn't tell you to hate them. Love them; but ignore them. Pray for them; but imbibe what is only productive criticism.  Ignore so much that you are not affected by what they do. Why? Because you realise that if it is not planted by God in your life, then it will be uprooted. And if it is planted by God, intended by God to be there in your life, then it will stay. And all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Rom:8:28 God is Sovereign. He is good. He has plans to prosper you, not to harm you. The teachers of the law were always after Jesus and His disciples to find fault with Him, to the extent that that they wanted to annihilate Him. Jesu...
1 comment
Read more

Wonders

Jesus did many wonders.  1. By demanding faith from the receiver's side.  2. Even without them asking.  3.He infact denied doing wonders and signs to prove His authority.  He is Lord of all. He does all wonders and signs on His sovereignty. It is His choice. We can only ask for His intervention in our lives. We cannot demand for Him to work the way we want to run it. Who are we to demand? We should infact plead for Him to work the way He seems best. We don't know. But He knows. He being our Father, yet the Eternal Almighty God, He would do what is best for us only. We need to trust this.  Image credit: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-miracles-did-jesus-perform.html%3famp=1
1 comment
Read more

Revelation

Matt:16:13-20 Peter declared the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. That was a revelation from God, according to Jesus, not something he learnt from others or from his own effort.  Any truth about God has to come from God Himself. Man cannot decipher it out of His will. God has to reveal Himself to us. Man cannot reach out to God. God has to reach out to him. But for God to reveal Himself, we have to humble ourselves seeking God, praying that He would reveal Himself to us. Because without His revelation, there is no point in seeking.  But why do we need to know Him?  John:17:3. And this is eternal life - to know You the Only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth.  Image credit:  https://zanibonilighting.com/blog/post/what-is-a-beam-shaper
1 comment
Read more

Parable of the unforgiving debtor

Matt:18:21-35 In conjunction with the Lord's Prayer - forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us - this parable is a tough pill to swallow. But if you received grace without conditions, you give freely without conditions - this is logically correct.  If you are not able to forgive freely as you have been put up with, then either you have not understood the depth from which you have been pulled out of or  you sillify the forgiveness that you have received.  Freely you have received, freely you give.  Why is it so difficult to forgive as you are forgiven? Probably because of the self love and pride in our hearts that entangles us, preventing us to let go.  Father forgive me for the unforgiveness I have shown to others, forgetting the forgiveness that I have received from you.  Image courtesy:  https://www.stwilfridskirkby.org/2020/09/13/sermon-the-parable-of-the-unforgiving-servant-matthew-chapter-18-v-21-35/
1 comment
Read more

Reasoning and logicality

Jesus' response to Peter was so dramatic. He attributed it to a revelation from the Father in heaven, when he proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.  Whereas He attributed it to Satan, when he called Him aside and advised Him not to say of such things as death and all. Jesus further responded saying, "You are seeing things merely from a human point of view not from God's" Matt:16:23 Man's logic and reasoning and wisdom and knowledge and thought process are all fallen, just like man is. Man is so helpless that He can think of fallen ways alone. Only when he thinks in God's perspective will he be able to rise above that and be wise, and see things in a better view. The view in which it is supposed to be looked at. For that we need faith. Not 'seeing is believing'. But hoping for things which are  not seen. Seeing things in the spiritual realm, which becomes tangible only by grace.  Seeking Him and His grace, will help you out o...
1 comment
Read more