What Do Christmas Wreaths Represent?

During the Roman empire wreaths were used as a sign of victory. When Rome won a battle or war they would use wreaths signify that they had won the battle and returned victoriously.

The Germans were the first people to utilize evergreen trees as Christmas trees that were brought in their homes to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In order for the evergreen trees to fit inside of their homes, they would have to trim the tree branches. The leftover evergreen branches were turned into wreaths to celebrate Christmas. Circles, much like evergreen trees, are symbolic of eternity and eternal life. The circle has no end; nor does the life that is found in Jesus. Some wreaths were adorned with a candle to represent the light of Christ entered the world on Christmas. 

Wreaths are a symbol of the victory we have in Jesus and the eternal life that we have in Him. 

Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). 

[Read: Why Do We Put A Star on A Christmas Tree?]

This world will bring hardship, suffering, and pain. The holiday season isn’t exempt from pain and suffering. Christmas can bring stress, worry, grief, and relational tension. In every season victory is found in Jesus. We will experience pain in this world. However, because Jesus stepped into our world and conquered death and sin we have an eternal hope!

Live It:

• Are you heavy or burdened this Christmas season? How can you incorporate worship, biblical community, and spiritual disciplines into your Christmas traditions? 

Why Do We Put a Star on Christmas Trees?

What do you put on the top of your Christmas tree? There are plenty of tree toppers to finish off the Christmas tree. Some of the traditional Christmas toppers are angels and stars. During the Christmas season you see many trees with a star on top of the beautifully decorated tree. 

You might be able to figure out why stars are placed on Christmas trees. 

[Read: What Do Christmas Wreaths Represent?]

Stars sit on top of Christmas trees to remind us of the star of Bethlehem that signaled that Jesus was born. The wise men followed the star to Bethlehem and then to Jesus. These men came from the east – most likely from Persia – to worship the king of the Jews. The wise men were not Jewish but were versed on the signs of the Messiah. Once this new star appeared they knew that the king of the Jews had been born. 

An interesting aspect of this account is that the wise men knew that the king of the Jews had been born … but the Jews missed Jesus’ birth. The Jews were distracted and failed to pay attention to how God was moving. We do the same thing today – we can become distracted by our to-do lists and miss how God is moving. Placing a star on top of a Christmas trees points us to the birth of Jesus and reminds us to bring our worship to the King of Kings. 

[Read: Why Do We Have Christmas Trees?]

Live It: 

• Have you been distracted this Christmas? 
• How can you slow down and spend time worshiping the King of Kings? 

Why Do We Put Lights On A Christmas Tree? 

During Christmas, lights are strung up everywhere. They make their way on rooftops, Christmas trees, and Christmas sweaters. They bring a magical glow to the short days of winter.

Why do we begin to put lights on a Christmas tree?  

It is believed that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lights to a tree. Luther was walking home one winter night and he noticed the stars shining through the evergreen trees. The beauty of the stars twinkling through the limbs causes him to stop in his tracks. The scene reminded him that Jesus left His home among the stars to dwell on earth with humanity. Luther went home and recreated the beauty of the scene by wiring candles to an evergreen tree that he brought inside of his house.

[Read: Why Do We Have Christmas Trees?]

Jesus is the “light of the world” (John 8:12) who came down to heaven to redeem humanity. Christmas lights are put up as a reminder that Jesus came down from his heavenly dwelling to dwell on earth. The world was in need of a rescuer and the mission required our Savior to empty himself of life. Jesus did not remain in heaven to dodge responsibility. One a quiet night in Bethlehem Jesus was born to young parents who were unable to find lodging. Nestled in a feeding trough, Jesus took his first breath in a Bethlehem. Once Jesus arrived He experienced the pains of living in a broken world. Jesus was homeless, felt pain, was rejected by his hometown, and beaten before being nailed to the cross. 

• Christmas lights remind us that Jesus stepped out of heaven and walked to the cross so that we could walk with Jesus. 
• Christmas lights remind us that the darkness of sin cannot stand in the presence of Jesus. 
• Christmas lights remind us that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) and our lights should shine so others know Jesus and put their faith in Him. 

Live It: 

• Take a minute and thank Jesus for His humility, servant heart, and sacrifice.

The Bible opens us with the verse “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” These words are a foundational statement which the Bible stands on. Genesis explains that there is one God who created the world and it explains the origin of creation. Genesis 1:1 shows us a glimpse of the power and authority of God and His intentionality.  

Here are a few encouragements we have from the creation account in Genesis: 

There is one true God. Context is key when interpreting the Bible. When the book of Genesis was written the majority of the world help polytheistic belief systems, that is, they believed in multiple gods. The Jewish people’s faith in one God stood out among the background of polytheistic beliefs. Genesis was intention is explaining that there are not multiple gods but one God who created the world in which we live. This is different from our modern culture that doesn’t believe in any divine powers. 

There is one true God who creates. Genesis also explains that God is not a distant deity that is unable to be known or unwilling to be present. God is relational, active, and present in history – past, present, and future. God designed, created, and now sustains creation. Earth’s existence was not random or accidental. God purposefully and intentionally created our world. 

There is one true God who creates things on purpose and for a purpose. Inventors designate purpose for an invention. Every useful invention was designed with a purpose and role in mind. As a new invention is shared people look to the inventor to find out what the invention is, why it was created, and the purpose it has. Creation is the same. God, as the Creator of all life, has created everything – every person, object, and living being – with a purpose and for a purpose. Creation is not random or accidental; nor is your existence. You have been created on purpose and for a purpose. 

Live It: 

• Spend a few minutes thanking God for being active in creation and creating you on purpose and for a purpose. 

Want to connect to the Facebook Community? Join today and receive the devotions to your Newsfeed each morning. Read It. Live It. Devotion Facebook Group.

 So, what did Jesus’ love look like?

•  Jesus’ love is patient.
• Jesus’ love is fearless.
• Jesus’ love is forgiving.
• Jesus’ love is available.
• Jesus’ love is unrelenting.
• Jesus’ love is unchanging.
• Jesus’ love is unconditional.
• Jesus’ love is compassionate.

We will be known as Jesus-followers when we love others in these ways. Our love should be indistinguishable from Jesus’ love. Love is a commandment of Christ. Love is the example of Christ. Love is the way we share the Gospel of Christ. Love is the way we confirm our allegiance to Christ. 

Live It: 

• What are some ways to put into practice the Christlike behavior of loving to the full extent of the Gospel call to “love one another”?

Is your spiritual passion dull? If so, then you might be hanging out with spiritually dull people. Spiritually dull people are those who are stagnant in their faith or are altogether not following Jesus. Metals are sharpened by stronger metals, not weaker ones. If you want to grow in your faith in Jesus then you must have a core of solid Christian friends who are sharpening your spiritual life and pointing you to Jesus. 

How will friends sharpen your spiritual life? 

Spiritual conversations between friends will sharpen our relationship with Jesus. These conversations cause us to wrestle with tough spiritual questions and help us apply God’s truth to our lives. We become dull from the wear and tear of our lives. The best way for us to sharpen our spiritual lives is to have spiritual conversations about God’s Word with close friends and allow the Holy Spirit to move through your lives. 

Here are a few ways Christian friends will sharpen your faith:

• They pray for and with you.
• They keep you accountable.
• They influence you to make godly decisions.
• They inspire you to serve in areas of your giftedness.
• They encourage you to read and apply God’s Word.

Live It: 

• Who are two or three people who are stoking your fire for Jesus?

Want to connect to the Facebook Community? Join today and receive the devotions to your Newsfeed each morning. Read It. Live It. Devotion Facebook Group.