December 25, 2014
John 8:12
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Christmas is filled with many lost traditions. As I sat in church the other day I was listening to my pastor talk about the significance of just some of the things the happened at the advent of Christ.
One of the things he had talked about was the significance of the shepherds. According to history the shepherds that were visited by the Heavenly Host were a special group of people unlike the standard farmer or cattle raiser. These groups of men would raise the sacrificial lambs for the atonement of sins and for the Passover feast. In doing so the would wrap the lambs in strips of cloth to ward off from any defects and impurities or even broken bones.
The parallel was far more than just coincidence. God chose the shepherds because they knew and understood the significance of the Messiah. He chose them simply because of the job they were called to do and the way they were to do so.
So I thought, 'What other traditions have been lost over time?' Do we understand why we put up a Christmas Tree or why it is ordained with lights? Do we understand the significance of giving gifts, what the Yule Log is or why fruit cake.
The focus I wanted to look at is the significance of the tree and the lights. As I was thinking about this I came back to Christmas 16 years ago. This was probably one of the most epic Christmases I will cherish. Just a few months earlier I had become a father to a baby girl. One night after dinner I turned out all of the lights, turned on the tree and laid there as my daughter was mesmerized by the twinkling lights. As a result Courtney fell asleep. As a father I watched as my little girl laid peacefully under the tree and thinking about a baby who laid under a twinkling sky bringing peace.
After a little research I needed to find out is there more to the tradition of the tree and lights? Why a pine tree? What about the lights?
Most of it was a German tradition which developed throughout the years of the Christian faith and family traditions. It is like what I heard one family doing as a tradition for their family based on the gifts of gold, myrrh and frankencense (gold-very valuable gift, myrrh-a gift for the soul, frankencense-a gift of clothing). In the 7th century a missionary had it on his heart to bring Christianity to the people of what we call Germany today. During the time the people had worship this towering oak tree which was considered sacred. The people were so moved that the tree was chopped down. In the following spring a Douglas fir grew up in the spot of the destroyed tree.
It wasn't until the 17th century that Christmas trees where brought into the home at Christmas and was reserved for the aristocratic families. As the trees were brought into the home they were ordained with candles that could not be lite form more than 30 minutes at a time and required someone with a bucket of water to remain as a spotter to assure the tree would not catch fire. The lights were added to remind those at the lighting of the tree of the light of the world as Christ coming to a dark world. Over time the lights have developed in style, color and use for Christmas.
As I have been taking this in about our crazy traditions I had to ask, 'have we lost the meaning of Christmas and even where our traditions have come from?' The truth is there is something more epic than watching the twinkle of the lights on a tree or loading up on gifts for the holidays. No it is more important than the shepherds, the carols or even the time with friends and family.
It is what happened over two thousand years ago.
It is the light that hung from a tree.
It is that light in a cold dark world.
It is the blood spilled at Calvary.
It is that price that was paid for me.
It is a Savior who became man.
It is the great I AM!
So as you celebrate Christmas today remember Christ didn't come to be that lonely light. No far more, He came to be an example for us in a dark world so that we too can be a light bringing peace and hope where all hope is lost and where chaos has run free.
Merry Christmas and may God's light shine in you today!
If you would like to know more about that hope that can change your life, feel free to contact me at the email below. It could save your life. forgedtogether27@gmail.com
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