Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
A Christmas ornament that is missing on the Christmas tree is the cross. Jesus came into this world to go to the cross. The star on top of the Christmas tree is the star that guided the magi to Jesus. The bells reverberate the good news of the gospel. The Yu logs and mistletoe have nothing to do with the message of Christmas. They are just pretty Christmas decorations. The pretty gifts that hang on the tree typify the gift of salvation. The gifts from the magi (gold, frankincense and myrrh) point to the cross. Gold recognized Jesus as the King of the universe, frankincense is the perfume or the spiritual incense of praise to the King Jesus and the myrrh was the sacred anointing oil to be poured out on the body of Jesus after His death on the cross. The Christmas colour “red” is the divine detergent, ‘the blood of Jesus’ that makes us white as snow. So the Christmas tree accentuates the message of the cross.
The birth of Jesus had a specific purpose. “The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed”. Until the birth of Jesus, it was the actions that were judged and reprimanded but Jesus unveiled the intentions and the thoughts of the heart. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28). The Christmas tree is the resplendent representation of the message of Christ Jesus. Christmas teaches us to live beyond the physical realm and gaze into eternity.
Christmas Message from the Christmas tree:
1. Candles: Candles on the Christmas tree and carol singing draw us closer to the Christmas message. The light of the world reveals the intention of the heart and purifies the thoughts of our mind. This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person (John 1:9). The candles light up our hearts.
2. Christkindl: Christkindl is a Christmas decoration in the shape of an infant Jesus. Many decorate their homes with cribs and Christkindl. Jesus is not a helpless baby lying in manger as Christkindl; He is King Jesus reigning and ruling over the cosmos. Christkindl also points to the cross.
3. Cross: The Christmas tree was carved into the cross of Calvary. The true celebration of Christmas is the victory that we have through the cross. The cross was the completion of Christmas. If Jesus did not crush sin, satan and sickness on the cross we will not be celebrating Christmas. Hence, the cross is the most fitting ornament on the Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree highlights the reason for the season.
John 12:27 But it is for this [very] purpose that I have come to this hour [this time and place].
Prayer: Dear Jesus, teach me to reflect on the cross throughout the Christmas season. Thank you for the gift of salvation and eternal life that we receive through the cross. Ame
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