Sunday Writing... 12-16-18... "CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS"

Good morning!

We have talked about family trees and Christmas trees in the last two devotions. Our Sunday writing continues the theme of trees this month with the decorations that we put on the Christmas trees.  Over time those adornments have changed.  Read on to find out the meaning behind some of them and the special significance they can have in our lives.

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"CHRISTMAS TREE 

DECORATIONS"

by

Jan Andersen

We are already half-way through December and Christmas is only a little over a week away!  Every year it sneaks up on us.  Even when we feel we are getting a jump on things by starting early, or committing to ourselves to do less, it often seems as though in the end there just is not enough time to do everything we would like to do.  Decorating is one thing that some do early in the month, or even right after Thanksgiving.  There is one tradition that the Christmas tree is not decorated until Christmas Eve, and then it is taken down on Epiphany, January 6th.  Personally, I like to set the tree up after Thanksgiving, but gradually add ornaments throughout the month.

The decorations that we use on trees today are different from what they used to be.  The very earliest records of a decorated tree was in Germany in 1570.  They put “apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers” on the tree.  In the early 1600’s German writers also mentioned similar items, including “roses cut out of many-colored paper, apples, wafers, gold foil, sweets, etc.”  and “golden sugar-twists (Barley sugar)” as well.  Edible items were a theme, and spread to gingerbread and gold-covered apples.  The early trees were biblically symbolic of the Paradise Tree with its fruit in the Garden of Eden, but also the wafers represented communion and redemption. Others have said that the many different edible items were symbols of plenty, and the flowers were originally only red for knowledge, and white for innocence.  Eventually the apples were replaced by glass balls which continue to this day.  Some people also continue to hang gingerbread and sweets such as candy canes in their trees.  Tinsel also started in Germany, and makes the tree look like it is glistening with icicles.  Though it was initially made of strips of beaten silver, what we use now is usually metallic-colored plastic.  Sometimes it is made into a garland which is draped around the tree.  A garland is symbolic of the victory of man’s redemption by Christ.

It is said that in 16th century Germany Martin Luther put candles in his Christmas tree to remind his family of seeing the stars through the branches of trees in the forest.  He told his children it was to remind them of Jesus, who left the stars in heaven to come to earth as a baby at Christmas.  Some countries still use candles, but in the late 1800’s Thomas Edison’s invention of the electric light bulb helped change them to colorful electric lights, popularized due to the fire danger of candles in dried out branches of evergreen needles.  These twinkling lights in the trees can also remind us that Jesus is the light of the world, and we are to be His light to the nations as we do good works to bring Him glory and share His story with them to bring them to faith.

Matthew 5:16 ESV  “… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

Father in heaven, as we prepare to celebrate your Son’s birth at Christmas, help us to see Him in all that we do. Keep us from becoming so busy that we forget the true meaning of it all.  Help us to be a light to the world, guiding others to the Christ child, your Son, Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit are one.  Amen.  

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Song:

CHRISTMAS IS ALL IN THE HEART

Stephen Curtis Chapman

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you

 by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff

 of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers:

Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and  Corinne Mustafa
Elizabeth McElderry, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard
Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez

Occasional Contributors:

Kathy Bireley, Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,
 Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,  

Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp.