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

Ashley

Dear Brother. Rest in peace. This life is small. Yet proved again. But you proved. Living for Christ alone matters. Trying to acquire skill  And to use your well earned medical knowledge For the poor and needy. Your words still ring in my ear. "We are alone there" Brother gone too soon. Leaving behind a legacy. Well done good and faithful servant. Enough is enough. Come back and enter the rest planned for you. In His bosom, the classic smile I can imagine. Your laughter will surely resound in heaven today. There is rejoicing in heaven  For a son has come back home. Fulfilling his Father's will for him Why should earth be gloomy?  For he is home.
10 comments
Read more

Why? - a short story

I have always been obedient to my father. Though sometimes it sounded illogical. Of late his demands are more irrational. I have seen him spending time praying. But now he is different. He travels around Judea and sometimes even to Israel to listen to this man Jesus. Some say He is a rebel. Some say He is the son of God the Messiah. I don't know. I haven't been religious. I like this part of the Ten Commandments which says if you want a long life, then honour your father and mother.  Ever since my mother passed away, my father had been lonely. They were in love. Never have I seen anyone love like this, even the newly weds. He had been gloomy for the past ten years. But now there is a smile in his face. He spends time in his room often, praying. Other times he is out to listen to this man. But there is joy in his face, that I know.  Today why did he ask me to go and collect water from the town? No idea. There are slave girls to do that. There is plenty of water here...
12 comments
Read more

Pressed down Shaken together

Your gift will return to you full, pressed down, shaken together to make more room, running over and poured into your lap. Luke:6:38 Many a times this verse is misinterpreted for giving, more precisely speaking, about money. But aren't we completely misguided? Jesus has not been talking about money at all here. It is about forgiveness that He talks about. It is about not judging. It is about not condemning. It is about our attitude and not about assets. Many a times we give importance to things which are not important to God. To forgive means to be forgiven. If you forgive, you will be forgiven to a greater extent. Both from man's side and from God's side. Jesus taught that in the Lord's prayer too. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. When we keep account of the wrongs done to us, remember that the wrongs done by us will be kept account of as well. Forgive just as God has forgiven. Do not judge. Do not condemn. As God has done to you....
1 comment
Read more

Led by the Spirit

That day the Spirit led him to the temple. Lk:2:27 Simeon was a man who was led by the Spirit even for the trivial mundane routine things. The Spirit was already upon him and promised him that he would not die, till he sees the Lord's Messiah. Now one day the Spirit prompts him to go to the Temple. And because Simeon obeys the Spirit's leading, he meets his Saviour. His life is complete and fulfilled now. Forget about taking decisions. Everyday routine, are you being led by the Holy Spirit? Will not such a life be beautiful - being led and guided by God's Himself. Taken to places where He would want us to be. Meeting people that He would want us to. Only His plan. But for that Simeon was righteous and devout and eagerly waiting.  Image credit: https://landmarkjourneyministries.com/
1 comment
Read more

One more chance

Karun Nair, Indian cricketer was unduly kept away from Indian cricket team. Though he scored runs in international and domestic circuit. This was a viral post of his in 2022. After which he scored piles of runs in domestic circuit and in the IPL. Finally he was given a chance to represent team India again. Inspiring stuff. Give it one more chance. Lk:13:6 Jesus the intercessory keeps on asking for one more chance for you. Those that do not bear fruit are expected to be cut down. V:5 reaffirms by saying - No and I tell you again and again that unless you repent you will perish too. Sin is not something which a holy God can accommodate with. Bearing fruit is what you think as a higher level of Christianity. But not bearing fruit is actually sin. Because that is the purpose of the plant. If you don't love your neighbour, if you do not have joy despite all your circumstances, if you do not have peace that passes all circumstances , if you are impatient and short tempered, i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Neighbour

Luke:10:29 Who is my neighbour? Through the story Jesus' answer to this question was very explicit.  Everyone is your neighbour. Anyone who is in need is your neighbour. Anyone who is spiritually, emotionally, physically in need, you should be fully available. Do you cross over to the other side? Showing you did not see. Are the other responsibilities standing in your way. Or are you freely available  Selling out yourself, your time, your energy, your money. Are you a good neighbour?
Post a Comment
Read more

Authentic

Lk:3:1-2 Oh! Why this mundane description. It looks boring. But a meticulous examination shows a pinpoint accuracy that is reliable. Dr. Luke presents the good News after a thorough research. When you look into the annals of history, we see these people were for real. Rulers over these places in real time. Which says this account is no figment of someone's imagination. But the real description of things that happened. As if Dr. Luke is saying, if you have any doubt, see, this is the time it happened I say. Go Check in the books of history. Which means. Jesus is real. So His death is real. So His resurrection is real. This makes Him unique. That proves that He is God Himself and not just another story of one god coming to stay with mankind. Authentic. Fool proof. To the point. Period. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=thumbs+up+meaning
1 comment
Read more