One of the highlights of this past week (and there were a lot of highlights this past week) was caroling through downtown Roseville with Cornerstone Christian School. I was with a team of 20 students, ranging from Kindergarten to High School, who went door to door, home to home, business to business, asking people if they would like to hear a couple of Christmas carols. My 5-year-old Jackson was on my shoulders belting out “Gwo-whia, in ex-thel-thees, Day-O” which is Latin for… anyone?... “Glory to God in the Highest.” Long ago, this was the song heard from the Angels on high (Luke 2:14).
I pray this will be my family’s song this Christmas - Glory to God in the highest, the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17). For those of you with children, below is a sort of Christmas catechism that may help your family to promote the glory of God this holiday season. Consider asking them in the car, around the table, around the tree, or next to the bed.
(“Catechism” = a summary of Christian principles in the form of questions and answers, used for instruction)
How long have people celebrated Christmas?
Christians have been celebrating Christmas for nearly 2000 years. The day was first made a recognized holiday on December 25, 325 (that’s nearly 1700 years ago!) This makes Christmas our oldest annual holiday.
When was the Christmas tree first used?
Legend says that an evergreen tree was first associated with Christmas by St. Boniface in the 8th century (nearly 1300 years ago).
What is a Christmas Tree a symbol of?
A Christmas tree is an evergreen tree – a tree that stays green through the long, dark, cold winter. This is a symbol of the eternal life we have through Jesus. By bringing an evergreen tree into our home we remember that because we have Jesus we have eternal life. Many decorate their trees with lights and personal ornaments – a reminder that Jesus, the light of the world, has come into our hearts and saved us (1 John 5:12).
What is the Star on top of a Christmas tree a symbol of?
A star is placed at the top of some Christmas trees as a reminder of the star that was over Bethlehem to announce the birth of Jesus. (Matthew 2:1-2)
What is a candy cane a symbol of?
A candy cane is shaped like the staffs that would have been carried by the shepherds who came to visit Jesus after his birth (Luke 2:8ff). As well, Jesus is called our Good Shepherd (John 10:11). In 1670, a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany, began giving children candy sticks bent into canes to symbolize the staffs of the shepherds who came to meet Jesus.
What does the holly plant have to do with Christmas?
Christians have historically connected the thorns and red berries of holly to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion as He shed his own blood to save his people.
Why are so many Christmas decorations red or green?
Red symbolizes the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross.
Green represents the eternal life we have through the blood of Jesus.
How does giving and receiving gifts help us to celebrate the birth of Jesus? It reminds us of the great gift giver – God – and his greatest gift to us, his only son Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas.
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