I was given a book a few years ago for Christmas. I always put it out on the side table next to the couch because the cover is just so cute and festive this time of the year. I picked it up this evening and was thumbing through it and realized that I should share some of the things in the book with you. So, over the next few days I'll be posting a few things that I thought were interesting. The book is called, "The ADVENTure of Christmas ~ Helping children find Jesus in our holiday traditions": Written by Lisa Whelchel
I so want to instill the things that I have learned from this little book in my children as they grow up. Only to pass these learning's on to their children. And so on , and so on. I wish that I would have been taught these little tales as I was growing up and was being taught what Christmas really means. I just hope that you too are inspired to pass these little nuggets of knowledge on to your children as well. Happy reading!
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
It is said that in the seventh century a zealous young English missionary was the first person to use the evergreen tree as a symbol for God. Winfrid, who would later become known as Saint Boniface, used the tree as an object lesson. He taught that each point on the triangular-shaped tree represented a different person of the Holy Trinity --Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Legend has it that one day Winfrid came upon a group of men offering a sacrifice to an oak tree as an act of worship. So angered was he by this idolatry that Winfrid swung his ax and felled the oak tree with one mighty blow. According to the tale, a fir tree eventually grew from the stump of the oak. Struck by this occurrence, the missionary proclaimed that the tiny new tree represented Jesus' victory over death on the cross and and the eternal life mad available to us by the King of kings.
The Christmas tree is a beautiful reminder of why Jesus was born in the first place-to die for you and me. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24, NIV). As we put up the Christmas tree in our homes, it can only deepen our joy if we remember His death at this time of His birth. It is because He died for us that we can receive the eternal life represented by the evergreen boughs.
Have you ever noticed that the boughs of your tree extend out like the arms of Jesus stretched out upon the cross as He offered His life to anyone who would come to Him in faith? And your Christmas tree is very definitely pointing toward heaven and, as Jesus did with His words and actions, drawing our attention to the Father who loves us.
So, when you stand before your Christmas tree, stand tall, as the tree does, and be a witness for Jesus. Let it direct your attention to the Father above. Fix your eyes on Jesus, then open your arms wide to touch others with His Spirit of love. Then you, too, will be pointing people toward heaven- and to life beyond the power of death.
I so want to instill the things that I have learned from this little book in my children as they grow up. Only to pass these learning's on to their children. And so on , and so on. I wish that I would have been taught these little tales as I was growing up and was being taught what Christmas really means. I just hope that you too are inspired to pass these little nuggets of knowledge on to your children as well. Happy reading!
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
It is said that in the seventh century a zealous young English missionary was the first person to use the evergreen tree as a symbol for God. Winfrid, who would later become known as Saint Boniface, used the tree as an object lesson. He taught that each point on the triangular-shaped tree represented a different person of the Holy Trinity --Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Legend has it that one day Winfrid came upon a group of men offering a sacrifice to an oak tree as an act of worship. So angered was he by this idolatry that Winfrid swung his ax and felled the oak tree with one mighty blow. According to the tale, a fir tree eventually grew from the stump of the oak. Struck by this occurrence, the missionary proclaimed that the tiny new tree represented Jesus' victory over death on the cross and and the eternal life mad available to us by the King of kings.
The Christmas tree is a beautiful reminder of why Jesus was born in the first place-to die for you and me. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24, NIV). As we put up the Christmas tree in our homes, it can only deepen our joy if we remember His death at this time of His birth. It is because He died for us that we can receive the eternal life represented by the evergreen boughs.
Have you ever noticed that the boughs of your tree extend out like the arms of Jesus stretched out upon the cross as He offered His life to anyone who would come to Him in faith? And your Christmas tree is very definitely pointing toward heaven and, as Jesus did with His words and actions, drawing our attention to the Father who loves us.
So, when you stand before your Christmas tree, stand tall, as the tree does, and be a witness for Jesus. Let it direct your attention to the Father above. Fix your eyes on Jesus, then open your arms wide to touch others with His Spirit of love. Then you, too, will be pointing people toward heaven- and to life beyond the power of death.
Good stuff, and a nice looking book. Now I know what you were reading earlier. :-) I'll have to actually pick it up like you did. Would be good to share with Morgan and eventually Jackson.
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