Tag Archive | Christmas Tree lights

The Light of Christmas

Christmas Tree Lights 2014b

“Jesus answered and said unto them saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Last night, I put up the Christmas tree but haven’t added the decorations yet. I love to see the lights shining brightly, reminding me that He is the light of the world. It also reminds me to allow His light to shine through me.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

Tonight I will decorate the tree but I am anxious to have Christmas lights on our porch as well in order to share the Light of the World with our neighbors. What an opportunity to share the Gospel!  I am so thankful He came as a babe in the manger knowing He would become the sacrificial lamb of God that we may be saved. This lamb, however did not stay dead. He arose from the dead; conquering death. We may have everlasting life in Heaven because He lives.

What did John the Baptist say when he saw Jesus coming?

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

John 1:29

Perhaps I should find a lamb decoration to put on the tree! I must get busy decorating the Christmas tree so enjoy the lights and remember who they represent.

Blessings!

Kathy

Christmas Tree Gospel

Hello, friends. It is hard to believe it’s Christmas time again. As we trim our Christmas tree, I like to remember the lesson I taught children through the years with a Christmas tree, lights, ornaments and my Bible. The Christmas Tree Gospel. I am reposting the post from last year.

How do you share the Gospel at Christmas?The light of Christmas

Christmas Tree Gospel

Christmas Ornaments 2012 005

Have you ever considered using your Christmas tree as a witnessing tool? I used to love using a small Christmas tree to present the Gospel to children.

  • First, we discussed the evergreen tree which reminds us of eternal life. It is ever green with sap running through it (before it is cut down)
  •  The shape of the tree points to God.
  • Of course, the tree must be in a stand to remain upright, as we need The Lord Jesus as our firm foundation.

Next, I would do (especially in Awana at night)  is to have someone turn out the lights so that the room would be dark – just as the darkness of sin. The world was in darkness until the Savior came.  I would then turn on the tree lights. White lights because they shine brighter than red, blue, green or even yellow lights.

  • The lights on the tree remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
  • The lights also remind us that we are to let Him shine through us ”Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
  • The lights also remind me that there will be no need of sun or moon in Heaven; for Jesus is the light. “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it; and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:23)
  • Gold decorations & tinsel remind me of the streets of gold in Heaven. (Rev. 21:21)
  • Red decorations remind us that Jesus was born to die.  He shed His blood that we may be saved.  He paid the penalty for my sin. (John 3:16)
  • White on the tree reminds me that he washed me white as snow.
  • The star reminds us of the Bethlehem star which signified the birth of the King of Kings and was a guide for the wise men to follow that they may find Him, and worship Him.
  • Angels remind us of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace, goodwill toward men.” (Luke 2)

(In the Bible, Angels appear as men.  They are not portrayed as beautiful women in slinky or fancy dresses with wings and a halo. They are messengers of God.  They came to announce His birth and to Worship Him! We are to worship Him and not the angels.)

  • Ice-cycles hung on the tree reflect the light – just as we are to let The Light of the world reflect through us. When I was a child, the Ice-cycles were silver tinsel cut into long strands. Granddaddy always insisted on hanging them on the tree one by one so that they would hang perfectly. (I must admit to giving into the urge to take a hand full and fling them on the tree and allowed them to fall where they may. They often landed on the floor!) Today I use crystal or clear plastic. When the light shines on the crystal ones, we can almost see a rainbow reflected on the wall!
  • The tree skirt reminds me that He has clothed me with HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
  • The gifts under the tree remind me of the greatest gift of all. Salvation wrapped in love. The perfect gift from God – His only begotten Son; the lamb of God who was born to die for us. Our virgin-born Savior, wrapped in swaddling clothes was the best gift ever given!

When doing the Christmas Tree Gospel presentation, sometimes I gave each child a card with a verse to read as we came to the appropriate moment/decoration. Of course, each was given the gift of a candy cane to take as a reminder of God’s wonderful gift to us.

Please excuse the family pictures as I haven’t decorated our tree yet this year and didn’t have a suitable photo of a Christmas tree to use.   I would love to hear how you share the Gospel at Christmas. Please feel free to give us your stories in the comment section. Have a blessed Christmas season this year!

Kathy on Christmas Eve 1964

Love,

Kathy

Introducing Missy Cat in the Heart of The Tree

Introducing Missy Cat in the Heart of The Tree

This Christmas, let your children and grandchildren enjoy the joy at Missy’s discovery of the true meaning of Christmas.

Your little ones will love the wonderful illustrations by Ron Sumner who literally brings Missy Cat to life on the page!  He and my wonderful husband, John spent hours formatting and taking care of the technical details to make the publication possible.
Thanks, guys!

Missy Cat in the Heart of the Tree – a Christmas story will be available through Kindle tomorrow and will soon be available in digital form through other venues. Nook, I-book.

The printed version will be uploaded to the publisher tomorrow and will be available to buy for the special children in your life before Christmas!

 

More details to follow. Happy reading!