Tag Archive | Silver

Christmas Tree Gospel Revisited

The Christmas Tree Gospel

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.

The Next thing thing 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 then 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)Christmas Ornaments 2012 026
  • 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)Christmas Ornaments 2012 006
  • 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)Christmas Ornaments 2012 028

(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!

385098_10150523878585546_573440545_11085898_773998269_n.jpg

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 wonderfully sweet gift to us.

God's gift. Immanuel - God with us.

God’s gift. Immanuel – God with us.

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!

Love,

Kathy

 

Silver Gravy Boat and Stand

Earlier this week, I was cleaning out a cabinet and found my husband’s grandmother’s silver gravy boat. It was quite tarnished so I washed it, dried it, applied silver polish and buffed it to a nice shine.  I don’t know if you can see it in this picture but there is a fancy L engraved in the center. Unless the light hits it just right, the monogram is easily missed. After all, when John’s “Mamaw” placed this lovely item on the table, it was the gravy or sauce which held everyone’s attention. Right?

I can see it now. The family gathered around the beautiful pedestal table. Laden with good food to eat, dressed in her finest linen or crochet tablecloth, set perfectly with linen napkins and forks on the left of the plate; knife and spoon on the right. The water glass at the tip of the knife with the cup and saucer just north and east of the spoon.  A beautiful display awaited the family. Grandfather sitting at the head of the table, carving the meat, Mamaw at the other end of the table sitting quietly with her hands folded in her lap, joyfully watching her children enjoying the fruit of her labors. The silver gravy boat would be passed around from loved one to the next. I love that scene!

Image

One thing I noticed that when the silver is polished, it reflects things around it – like a mirror.  It looked pretty on the granite counter top but when I placed it on the wood chest, it took on a richer glow.

Image

Do you see the monogram? Look closely.  The angle of the camera also determines the visibility.

We are much like the old silver gravy boat. An empty vessel ready to be filled. A clean, polished vessel.

Unless it is filled with gravy or sauce, it is just an object to look at. No nourishment for a hungry family. No sweetness to make the food even more delicious. Without Christ, there is an emptiness. An empty shell. But oh, what joy when we have the Lord dwelling in us. Overjoyed when we delight in His Word.

Just like the setting affected the look of the polished silver, Christ can shine through us best when we reflect Him. By reading His Word, prayer and fellowship with other believers. I don’t know about you, but I want my life to reflect Him. Does one need to search for the monogram of my heart – Christ living in me?