kathleen (kathleen)
12-19-2005, 08:10 PM
Attacks on Christmas dominate today's headlines. Banning of the nativity scene, renaming the Christmas tree "Holiday tree”, public schools forbidding children from singing Christmas carols. Why is it being said that it's no longer a time of celebration? That this season of a Christmas tree, the Nativity, A silent night, the Bethlehem Star so bright. They say, "Does it matter? It's really nothing more than just another Holiday." Wanting to mix and match Christmas so it will be lost in a secular mindset point of view. Well, lets set something's straight.
The Christmas tree sprung from the roots of poetic semblance back in the 16th Century. They may have been German or could have been Dutch. Queen Victoria of England had her hand in this tradition once long ago. A young fellow named Woolworth brought the glass ornaments, which decorate the Christmas tree here to the United States some time during the 1800's. A department store founder of all people, a foot store it's called now and days, could this be true? History has its place in time.
Yet there is a far more important and significant tradition that springs forth from the expression of the Christmas tree. Individually created for us during this Season of Celebration, it is the birth of Jesus Christ.
This story that I've heard continues to be pasted on from generation to generation. The Christmas tree represents the Cross of Calvary. Jesus Christ died on a tree for you and me. 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Acts 5: 30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.”
Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"[a]), Deuteronomy 21:23
The Lights, which illuminate from this tree represent the Light Of The World.
John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
The Highest ornament placed upon this tree is Jesus Christ. It is the place you give Him within your heart and soul towards God and all that He Has Done. ROMANS 8:34 "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
The gifts placed under the Christmas tree represent first that Jesus Christ gave the perfect gift to us. Which is Eternal Life forever in Heaven with His Love.
John 3:15-17 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
Second that the three wise man- the Magi Balthasar, Melchior, Gasper. While pursuing their observations of the stars in the heavens, encountered a sign of God. There was joy, rejoicing, worship, and these precious gifts which mark the response of the wise men to the birth of Jesus Christ was a magnificent gesture.
Third by acknowledging Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection the gifts of Our Father, The Son and Holy Spirit now dwell within us, magnificent gifts indeed.
Matthew 2:9-11 "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Do you see what Christmas truly is all about? Why this worlds system wants to take all remembrance of this special day away. I conclude with the lyrics of a song. Written by Cappeau di Roquemaure, Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), translated from French to English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).
http://www.alighthouse.com/night.htm
(link to hear this wonderful song)
O Holy Night
Oh Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder beams a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine! O night when Christ was born!
Oh night divine! Oh night, Oh night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from the Orient land
The King of Kings lay in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need
To our weakness no stranger
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! before Him bend!
Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus rise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord
Then ever, ever praise we
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim
May my Lord Jesus Christ.
In His Love for us bring many blessings that keep you always.
If only to believe...
Least never we forget!
Kathleen Esther
The Christmas tree sprung from the roots of poetic semblance back in the 16th Century. They may have been German or could have been Dutch. Queen Victoria of England had her hand in this tradition once long ago. A young fellow named Woolworth brought the glass ornaments, which decorate the Christmas tree here to the United States some time during the 1800's. A department store founder of all people, a foot store it's called now and days, could this be true? History has its place in time.
Yet there is a far more important and significant tradition that springs forth from the expression of the Christmas tree. Individually created for us during this Season of Celebration, it is the birth of Jesus Christ.
This story that I've heard continues to be pasted on from generation to generation. The Christmas tree represents the Cross of Calvary. Jesus Christ died on a tree for you and me. 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Acts 5: 30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.”
Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"[a]), Deuteronomy 21:23
The Lights, which illuminate from this tree represent the Light Of The World.
John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
The Highest ornament placed upon this tree is Jesus Christ. It is the place you give Him within your heart and soul towards God and all that He Has Done. ROMANS 8:34 "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
The gifts placed under the Christmas tree represent first that Jesus Christ gave the perfect gift to us. Which is Eternal Life forever in Heaven with His Love.
John 3:15-17 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
Second that the three wise man- the Magi Balthasar, Melchior, Gasper. While pursuing their observations of the stars in the heavens, encountered a sign of God. There was joy, rejoicing, worship, and these precious gifts which mark the response of the wise men to the birth of Jesus Christ was a magnificent gesture.
Third by acknowledging Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection the gifts of Our Father, The Son and Holy Spirit now dwell within us, magnificent gifts indeed.
Matthew 2:9-11 "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Do you see what Christmas truly is all about? Why this worlds system wants to take all remembrance of this special day away. I conclude with the lyrics of a song. Written by Cappeau di Roquemaure, Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), translated from French to English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).
http://www.alighthouse.com/night.htm
(link to hear this wonderful song)
O Holy Night
Oh Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder beams a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine! O night when Christ was born!
Oh night divine! Oh night, Oh night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from the Orient land
The King of Kings lay in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need
To our weakness no stranger
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! before Him bend!
Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus rise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord
Then ever, ever praise we
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim
May my Lord Jesus Christ.
In His Love for us bring many blessings that keep you always.
If only to believe...
Least never we forget!
Kathleen Esther