The Evergreens

A beautiful feature of Christmas is the use of evergreens. The early Christians placed them in their windows to indicate that Christ had entered the home. Holly and ivy, pine and fir are all called evergreens because they never change color. They symbolize the unchanging nature of our God, and they remind us of everlasting life through Christ. In Isaiah 60:13 we find these words:  “The Glory of Lebanon shall come unto you, the fir tree, the pine tree and the box together, to beautify the place of your sanctuary.”

Under Christian thought and sentiment, holly became widely used in church celebrations. Holly was considered as the burning bush, or a symbol of Mary whose being glows with the Holy Spirit. The red berries represented the blood drops from the cruel thorns in the crown of Jesus.

Ivy was used in the middle ages extensively for Christmas decorating. It was considered a symbol of love because of its clinging habit of growth. The ivy represents our human weakness clinging to God's divine strength.

Mistletoe in the ancient world was called the "all healer." We use it as a symbol of the healing presence of Jesus. Throughout history, rosemary has symbolized remembrance and fidelity. We remember the gift of God's Son who came to us at Christmas. We remember His gifts of love, mercy, healing, and peace into our lives.

The Christmas Poinsettia

White poinsettias show our dedication to pursuing peace and pink poinsettias show our love for one another. The people of Mexico and Central America call these brilliant tropical plants "The Flower Of The Holy Night", its shape representing the star of Bethlehem. The original and more accurate name in the Aztec language is “cuetlaxochitl” pronounced kwait-la-SHO-shee(kh). As we move closer to Christmas day, we will see red poinsettias in our place of worship. 

The Cedar Branch

In ancient times the cedar tree was revered as the tree of excellence and endurance. It also signified immortality and was used for purification. Jeremiah 23:5-6 reads: “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. “ We place this cedar branch as a sign of Christ and of the kind of power He wielded: not the power of might, but the power of transformation. As we contemplate His call to justice and peace, we seek to purify our hearts and "renew a right spirit within us."  

The Advent Wreath

As the children just shared, we use wreaths in the shape of a circle because it has no beginning and no ending. Wreaths are reminders of the eternal nature of God’s love. During Advent, we light a different candle on this wreath each Sunday as we await the celebration of the birth of Christ. Hope….the light of the prophet’s story. Peace...the light of Bethlehem’s stable. Joy….the light of the angels singing. Love...the light of the shepherds’ visit. The final light in the center of it all is the Christ candle, Advent’s promise fulfilled.  

The Star and Gifts of Christmas

There are many theories about the shining star over Bethlehem...was it a comet, the sudden merging of planets, or some rare star? Although this is still a mystery, we know it was real and was a sign from God. It is our lasting symbol of a new birth, a new promise, and a new way of life that has changed the course of human history. Jesus is the one true “perfect light” that leads us from the darkness of despair to hope eternal. He is the "perfect light" that will not be vanquished. Gift giving has been a part of the Christmas season for generations. The Magi gave out of their treasure, and the Shepherds gave of themselves. Both express the Gift of God in giving Christ as the Savior of the World. Just as the wise men, we come with full hearts - we bow in adoring gratitude to worship You with the gift of our lives.  

The Christmas Tree and Chrismons

Today, the Christmas tree is the center of our festivities.

Glittering with lights and ornaments, it is a part of the beauty and meaning of Christmas. There are several legends and stories about the Christmas tree.

The first use of the Christmas tree was in the medieval German Paradise Plays, held outdoors and portraying the creation of humankind. The tree of Life was a fir tree decorated with apples. Later, other ornaments were hung upon them, such as paper flowers and gilded nuts. In England, branches or whole trees were forced to bloom indoors for Christmas. From these beginnings the use of a tree at Christmas was established. Martin Luther was perhaps the first to use a lighted tree.

The story is told that on one Christmas Eve Martin Luther wandered outdoors and became enraptured with the beauty of the starry sky. Its brilliance and loveliness led him to reflect on the glory of the first Christmas Eve as seen in Bethlehem's radiant skies. Wishing to share with his wife and children the enchantment he had felt, he cut from the forest an evergreen, glistening with snow, and took it home. He placed upon it candles to represent the glorious heavens he had seen. The use of a candle-lighted tree spread to all Europe, then America came to regard it as the central ornament of Christmas.

The Chrismons (Christ-Monogram) proclaim the Name, the Life, and the Saving Acts of Jesus Christ. The evergreen tree symbolizes the eternal life which our Savior has won for us. The "Chrismons" are made in combinations of gold and white. White, the liturgical color for Christmas, refers to our Lord's purity and perfection; Gold, to His majesty and glory. Tiny lights on the tree symbolize Christ as the Light of the World. A Chrismon tree decorated with symbols from Christian history tells a story of the true meaning of Christmas. You can find more detailed descriptions of each Chrismon symbol at the end of this insert. 

The Sparrows’ Nests

Ancient legends claim that birds’ nests are signs of health and good fortune throughout the year. They are a reminder from nature of our  blessings from God Who meets our every need and provides us with comfort and peace. In the gospel of Matthew we read:  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  Also we read in Psalm 84 “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord, Almighty, my King and my God. “ Look at the birds of the air. They don’t plant or harvest their own food, yet our heavenly Father feeds them.  May these nests be a reminder of God’s goodness, care, and provision.

 The Bells of Christmas

Bells have been used throughout the centuries to call people to worship, to celebrate life, mourn death, and announce news. This morning, bells ring to call us to remember the glorious birth of our Savior. As the sound of the bells spreads throughout the air and lingers, may we be reminded that Christ is with us everywhere, and His presence lingers through all our days. 

 The Christmas Rose

The rose is considered to be one of the most exquisite of flowers. Because of Christ’s perfection, the prophets made references to the rose when speaking of the Messiah.  Isaiah tells us that when the Kingdom comes, “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly,

and rejoice even with joy and singing.” We are reminded that we are held by a gentle and loving Savior, Who cares for us as a Shepherd cares for His sheep, with compassion, love, and sacrifice.

 The Meaning Of The Chrismons

History of the Chrismon tree…

The Chrismon tree first appeared in the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, Danville, Virginia, in 1957. These symbols have been passed down through the centuries of Christian history. Each of them tells in symbolic form of the birth, life, death, resurrection, or reign of Christ. They are witnesses to our faith that He is God’s Son and our Savior. The mostly gold color scheme symbolizes the majesty of the Son of God.

 The Cornerstone: Ephesians 2:19 and 20: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

The Lamp: Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

The Cross Crosslet: stands for the spread of the Christian faith to the four corners of the earth.

Three Fish United to Form A Circle: reminds us that all three persons of the Trinity contribute to our salvation

Cross with Orb: symbolizes Christ's dominion over the world

Anchor Cross with Fish: symbolizes the faithful.

The Cross: The letters stand for "Jesus Christ conquers"

Double Triangle: represents the Creator's Star, the Father, and the six days of creation

The Christmas Rose: symbolizes the nativity of our Lord

The Ship: is symbolic of the church as it was opposed by persecution during the early days of Christianity

The Chi Rho with Alpha and Omega: The Chi Rho is the oldest monogram of Christ. The Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, thus the beginning and end are symbolic.

Three Entwined Circles: are a symbol for the Holy Trinity

The Fish: use of the fish as a symbol for early Christians developed because the letters of the Greek word for fish, Ichthus, formed an acrostic on the phrase Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.

The Crown: is a symbol of the Kingship of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Shepherd's Crook: A cross hung with Alpha and Omega to show that this staff refers to the Good Shepherd

The Fleur de Lis: is the flower of the Virgin Mary

The Butterfly: is a symbol of New Life and the Resurrection

The Letters I.H.S.: are the initial letters of Jesus Hominum Salvator, meaning, Jesus, Savior of Man

The Anchor Cross: is an early symbol meaning steadfastness and hope.

The Seven Flames: are a symbol of the coming of the Holy Spirit

The Fleur-de-Lis cross: has a symbol of Purity at each arm's end.

The Brazen Serpent on a Tau Cross: refers to John 3:14, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up."

The Chalice: is used to symbolize the Passion of Christ. Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.

The Lamb: is the symbol of Jesus Christ. John 1:29 says, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world."

The Cross of Christ and the Twelve Apostles

The Coptic Cross with Birds represents the faithful

The Sand Dollar: is also known as the Holy Spirit shell. It's markings recall events in the life of Christ.

The Descending Dove: represents the Holy Spirit

The Stylized Fish: was an easily made and recognized sign used by the early Christians

The Shell: signifies the Baptism of Jesus

The Sun of Righteousness: symbolizes our Lord as prophesied in Malachi 4:2, "But for you who bear my name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings."