Teaching Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect on what our Savior has done for us, as well as, teach our children more about Christ. Between the Christmas tree and the decorations, we have an abundance of objects available to us for teaching our children. Below you will find some general information about trees in Scripture, the Christmas tree, Christmas ornaments and other things to help you teach your children about Christ.

 

Trees in Scripture

Trees are designed by God as a visible reminder of who we are created to be. There are only two kinds of trees in Scripture: good trees and bad trees; dry or green; fruitful or unfruitful; blessed or cursed. The same is true of us. We’re either living for Christ and are blessed and green, or we’re living for our self and become unfruitful and live under God’s curse. Trees are a visible reminder that we are to live for Christ in order to be blessed and experience life in all of its abundance.

Trees were important at the very beginning in the Garden of Eden and will continue to be important in the new heaven and new earth. Trees were created on the third day of creation symbolizing spiritual birth and new life. In addition, two trees were place in the “middle”, or center of the Garden of Eden giving them a place of prominence:

Genesis 2:9b In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The two trees also represent the two choices placed before all of us; life or death, obedience or disobedience. Sadly, Adam and Eve chose to disobey, thereby opening the door for sin and death to enter humanity. Thankfully, Christ came and died on a tree (the cross) to redeem us from sin and death. As we enter eternity, trees will continue to be important:

Revelation 22:1-2 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Therefore, the story of humankind and salvation begins and ends with trees. One tree brings death (Genesis 3) and another brings healing (Revelation 22). In between Genesis and Revelation we find the cross, made from a tree.

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For more verses about trees click here.

 

What Does the Word Christmas Mean?

The word Christmas is comprised of two words; Christ and Mass. The word Mass is a Latin term meaning, “to send out”. Over time, the word Mass began to be used as a synonym for a worship service. Thus, the word Christmas means Christ’s Mass or Christ’s Worship Service. The Purpose for Christ’s Mass or Christ’s Worship Service is to remember His birth.

 

The Evergreen Tree in Scripture

In biblical times, people set up a large stones as a memorial to remind them of God or something God had done for them. In the same way, trees were also used to mark a place of worship or a place of meeting with God. Abraham, the father of our faith, used trees in this way:

Genesis 21:33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the LORD, the Eternal God.

It’s important to note that Abraham didn’t use just any tree, he planted a tamarisk tree. A tamarisk tree is an evergreen. He planted it purposefully to represent the eternal nature of God. In ancient times, evergreens were a symbol of eternal life because they remained green and full of life through the winter when other trees lost their leaves and appeared dead. The evergreen was also a reminder of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden.

Evergreens are still used by Christians today as a reminder of God’s eternal nature. This is why churches place holly and other evergreen plants in their sanctuaries throughout the Christmas season. Thus, the evergreen or Christmas tree is a reminder of Jesus’ birthday, when the eternal God became flesh and lived among humankind.

 

A Brief History of the Modern Day Christmas Tree

In 722, people in central Europe began decorating evergreen trees with wood carved nativity sets during the Christmas Season.

In 1520, a priest named Martin Luther began using the Christmas tree to teach his family and congregation about Christ. He placed candles on the tree to remind them that God is light and that we are to be a witness for God. The lights also reminded him of the stars God created, leading him to teach the people about God as their Creator.

In 1820, German immigrants brought these traditions to the United States.

 

The Colors of Christmas

Green: Long before Christ’s birth evergreens and holly were symbolic of eternal life. Legend has it that there were holly bushes near the manger. Green is symbolic of Christ’s birth, His life and the eternal life He gives to us.

Red: From the holly berries and poinsettia’s leaves that turn scarlet in winter. Red is symbolic of Christ’s blood and His death on the cross. Red reminds us of His love and forgiveness.

Gold: Symbolic of Christ’s royalty and power. It refers to Christ as King of Kings.

Purple: Christ as royalty: the only one who rules with truth and righteousness.

Silver: Symbolic of redemption: Christ alone paid the price for our salvation.

Blue: Symbolic of Heaven, God’s throne, God’s Presence and God’s Home.

White: Symbolic of holiness, purity and being cleansed of all sin.

 

The Meaning of the Christmas Ornaments

Angel: An Angel(s) Announced the Birth of Baby Jesus to Joseph and Mary, Appeared to the Shepherds in the Field and Sang “Glory to God in the Highest.”

Star: Led the Wise Men to Bethlehem and Stood Over the House Where Christ was Found.

Manger: Where Christ was Laid after His Birth. Prophetic of Christ as the Bread of Life. It Represents Christ’s Humility and His Willingness to be Identified with Sinful Human Beings.

Harp: Symbol of David, God’s Chosen King. David’s Love of God and the Praises He Sang to God. It Reminds Us that God Longs for the Praise and Worship of His people.

Lamp: Christ as the Living Word of God. He is the Lamp for Our Feet and the Light for Our Path.

Dove: Symbol of Christ’s Baptism by John the Baptist. A Sign of New Life and Spiritual Birth, as well as, the Holy Spirit and the Peace of God.

Pierced Heart: Symbol of the Prophecy Spoken by Simeon at Baby Jesus’ Dedication in the Temple, Foretelling the Crucifixion of Jesus for the Sins of the World.

Cross: Symbol of the Crucifixion and the Purpose of Christ’s Life & Ministry – to Forgive Our Sin.

Butterfly: Resurrection and Eternal Life. As the Butterfly Leaves the Cocoon and Soars Upward with a New Body, We Too, in Jesus Rise to New Life and Soar with Wings as Eagles.

Bell: The Bell Calls Us to Worship and Reminds Us to Put Christ First and to be God’s Witness.

Candlestick: Reminds Us of Christ’s Words, “I am the light of the world.” This too, reminds Us to be a Light Shinning in the Darkness.

Tablets of Stone: Symbolizes the 10 Commandments Given to Moses and God’s People. They Showed Them How to Live and Pointed to the Coming Messiah.

Fish: Sign Used by the Early Christians for Protection During Times of Persecution. The Greek Word for Fish, ICTHUS, is an Acronym for: Jesus, Christ, God’s Son, Savior.

Triangle: Symbol of the Trinity. The 3 Sides Remind Us of the Symbolic Meaning of the Number 3: New Life & Spiritual Birth – The Completeness and Fullness We Find Only in God.

Circle: Stands for Eternity because it is Without Beginning or End. It Reminds Us of God’s Eternal Nature and of God’s Desire for All People to Have Eternal Life.

Lamb: Reminds Us that Jesus is the Lamb of God, Slain for the Sins of the World. Christ is Our Sacrifice and the Reason We Have Been Adopted as God’s Own Children.

Snowflake: Symbol of the Purity and Holiness of Christ. He was Tempted at Every Point Yet Remained Without Sin. It also Reminds Us that We’re Forgiven – White as Snow.

Trumpet: Reminds Us that Christ Will Return at the Sound of the Trumpet for Us, His Bride.