I don’t really know much about the traditions of Christmas. Why the use of red and green, what’s the message behind the tree, and the tinsel? I’m sure they have meaning but I’ve never researched it.
And really, I’m not a big “red and green” person. They add festive color to our homes at the holidays but they’re not colors I would decorate with the rest of the year.
Looking around my living room I was struck by the red and green poinsettia, it’s absolutely beautiful! Then I noticed a deer with a nice red bow. He’s adorned with a holly sprig and sits on my fireplace hearth. He was a gift from a dear friend years and years ago.
As I sit here, I realize I am impacted in another way by red and green. The words, in red, in my Bible have had a life changing effect. The words of Jesus, and His shed blood, have brought me life. Green is the color of living things. God’s word gives me abundant life here on earth and eternal life with my Father in heaven!
“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” John 14:6 ERV
“10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV
“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV
Today’s Christmas carol is an old traditional carol from England. In European Christian tradition, the prickly leaves of the holly bush represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he was crucified. The berries are symbolic of the drops of blood that were shed by Jesus because of the thorns. In Scandinavia, holly is known as the Christ Thorn. It would seem then that holly would be more appropriate at Easter but it grows in winter and so it was used to adorn homes during the holiday season.
If you’re not familiar with this carol, you may click this link to hear the song, The Holly & The Ivy.
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
When I see the red/green color scheme now, I won’t just think of Christmas but I will be mindful of the words of Jesus, and the growth they have brought to my life.