Volume 23.12, Ed. 1, Vol. 1
Some of the Christmas decorations I see around my neighborhood are truly inspiring. Their symbolism of the reason for the season is quite evident! Others have me scratching my head: elves, snow globes, grinches, and even dinosaurs! The headscratchers will always remain off my personal décor list. But what about the decorations that truly symbolize “God’s love come down” to Earth in the flesh? That’s what this list is. You might even be surprised that you’ve been using these symbols of the faith for quite some time!
Decoration | What it Means | Scripture | Comments |
Angels | Angels are messengers sent by God. Mariam was visited by Gabriel to tell her she was to deliver the Messiah. Joseph was comforted by the angel who visited him. Shepherds in the field were greeted with the angelic announcement of Yeshua’s birth. | * Luke 1:26-28 * Matthew 1:18-25 * Luke 2:8-10 | * Angel in transliterated Hebrew is mal’akh, which means “messenger.”
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Bells | * Shepherds used bells to draw their wandering sheep back to the fold. They also help the shepherd keep track of his sheep and avoid leaving one behind. * In the Hebrew Bible, bells were worn around the hem of the priest’s robe, to announce his arrival in and out of the Holy Place before the Lord. | * Matthew 18:12-14 * Exodus 28:33-35 | Although Yeshua did not specifically mention bells in Matthew, He didn’t need to. His audience was well familiar with the practice of belling the sheep. |
Bows & Ribbons | Bows and ribbons symbolize unity and love. The ribbons specifically symbolize Yeshua wrapping His arms around us in love. | * Colossians 3:14 * Psalm 91:4 (See The Passion Translation version in Comments) | TPT: His massive arms are wrapped around you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. |
Candy Canes | Hard Candy: Jesus is the Rock of our Foundation Peppermint Flavor: Spices from the women visiting Yeshua’s grave. White Candy: Purity of Yeshua Crook Shape: The crook of the Good Shepherd (Not a J, as Jesus was never His name while He was on Earth; there is no J in Hebrew or Greek.) Red Stripes: God’s love for us; By His Stripes we are healed (from the terminal illness of sin). | * Luke 6:48-49 * Luke 24:1 * 1 John 3:3 * Psalm 23 * Isaiah 53:5 | I have compiled some traditional symbolism with that of my own. The verses provided support my own take on the symbolism of this candy, which was invented in the 17thCentury and made its way to the U.S.A. in 1847. It started out as a purely white candy. |
Christmas Tree | The “real” Christmas trees, those made from evergreen trees, symbolize everlasting life. Artificial Christmas trees point to the “real” ones. | * John 3:16 | Beware the upside down Christmas tree! The symbolism behind this seemingly amusing trend is disturbing! |
Gifts | * Gifts of the Magi * God’s Greatest Gift * “Give and it will be given to you…” | * Matthew 2:11 * John 3:16 * Luke 6:38 |
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Joy! | * Praising God * Expressing joy in the Lord | * Psalms 146-150 * 1 Peter 8-9 | The long-awaited Messiah (deliverer, savior) has arrived! |
Lights | * Yeshua is the Light of the World * Star of Bethlehem | * John 8:12 * Matthew 2:1-2 | Light symbol started as candles! Be careful with those! |
Nativity Scene | Yeshua’s birth scene | * Luke 2:15-16 | It was about two years after His birth that the Magi found and worshiped Him. |
Red and Green | * Red = Holly berries = Crown of Thorns; also represents Messiah’s blood shed for our salvation | * Red: Matthew 27:27-29 * Red: Hebrews 9:22 * Green: John 10:28-30 | * Those thorns stuck into His head! * Blood is also shed at birth. |
Wreaths | * Circular shape: Eternity * Green: Strength * Holly: Perpetual Covenant of Peace | * John 10:28-30 * 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 * Isaiah 54 |
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Giving and Gathering | Peace, Unity, Charity, and Love | * Hebrews 10:24-25 | Not all gatherings fit this symbol, and not all gifts are appreciated in modern times. But the symbolism and purpose of giving and gathering remain the same. |
Thanks for sharing all these details! Awesome reading
Thanks, Adele! And here’s wishing you a very blessed 2024!