While I was growing up, my father would often point out signs to be found in nature – the ring of light around the moon at night and how it forewarned of what the next day’s weather would be, the different layers of rock that could be seen in mountain ranges and how it told of natural events in the past. He taught me to recognize and discover the constellations in the night sky. I loved these mini-lessons that came so naturally to him, especially about the constellations.
I love the stars in the night sky! They fascinate me! My Dad was the one who taught me how to find the North Star. Though it’s not the brightest star in the night sky, it is the one constant which all the other constellations revolve around. The North Star can be a valuable tool to find your direction when physically lost in this world, if you choose to look and to follow.
But there is another star that though we can no longer see it, leads us to something much more constant than even the North Star.
The star of Bethlehem led the way to discover the Christ child and as we think of that star now, it can still lead us to the risen Lord, if we choose to seek and then follow.
The trappings of Christmas can become just that, a trap of rushing here and there and losing sight of the meaning of Christmas OR we can look and discover in them the symbols of Christmas and what they represent.
I encourage you to let the symbols of Christmas remind and bring peace to you this season, to find joy in serving and giving, knowing that that service and gift giving is one of the most meaningful symbols, meant to remind us of the greatest service and gift ever given, that of the Savior Jesus Christ.
I wish you all a beautiful and joyous Merry Christmas!
Symbols of Christmas
by Diane G. Adamson
Wreath: Eternal love, no beginning, no end. Love comes full circle.
Candle: The light of Christ, our own inner light.
Gifts: Giving, sharing, thinking of others.
Bow: Tied in the bonds of brotherly love.
Bell: Rings to bring lost sheep home.
Tree: The evergreen of everlasting life, pointing heavenward.
Candy Cane: Shepherd’s crook for bringing lambs back to the fold.
Red: The Savior’s sacrifice for all.
Star: The Bethlehem star, a sign of prophecy, the light of the world.
Santa Claus: The spirit of Christmas, giving and receiving love, caring, sharing, kindness, cheerfulness, happiness, peace, good will to all, Christlike living.
