Christmas HOPE - Day 1

Acts 5:30-"The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree."

Have you ever asked yourself why there is a tree we put in our house during Christmas time? Or maybe, what's the whole purpose of cutting down an evergreen or pulling out a tote with an artificial tree to set up, decorate and put presents under for Christmas day?

A short answer is that the tree is a symbol. It represents two things; eternal life and a wooden cross. It is a symbol of hope. Don't allow yourself to see the Christmas tree as secular. It is a sacred element of the Christian faith. It isn't about aesthetics for a family gathering. It was never designed for Santa Claus to show up and put fun toys for kids under. It is all about the one moment that changed history forever - Christ going to a cross to die for you and me.

In fact, there was a group called the Cysterians who developed a significant process to worship on Christmas.

Order of Cysterians on how to worship Christ - “On Christmas eve you will look for a large branch of green laurel, and you shall reap many red oranges, and place them on the branches, and in every orange you shall put a candle.” 1400 Portugal

This Christmas, have hope. If/when you put up your tree remember that it symbolizes what Christians believe in - that Jesus Christ bore the sins of all mankind on a wooden cross (tree) for you and me. All you have to do is believe and receive that truth.