During the holiday season, a profusion of red, green, white, silver, and gold pervades our homes, yards, stores, televisions, and the internet. Have you ever wondered how these colors became symbolic of Christmas? Perhaps the choices were purely aesthetic. After all, green and red complement one another on the color wheel. Gold and silver strike a natural balance between fire and ice. Snowy white pairs well with any color. Whatever the origin of the traditional Christmas colors, they serve to remind us about the character of Jesus.
Long associated with love, red also reminds us that Jesus’ affection for us never wavers. Human love may wax and wane, depending on circumstances, but God is love. He can never change His nature. If you have been forgiven and accepted into God’s circle of love through Jesus, nothing can snatch you from Him. “No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
When we picture baby Jesus nestled in a humble manger, bloodshed is far from our thoughts. The gory end of Jesus’ life intrudes on the cozy atmosphere we imagine at Christmas. Yet unwavering love for people compelled Him to enter earth’s realm as a human for the primary purpose of death on a cross.
The author of Hebrews wrote, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22b). Sin demands a penalty — death. The compassionate nature of Jesus prompted Him to pay that penalty with His own life. His life was given in lieu of mine, and yours.
What response can we give for the incomprehensible sacrifice of Jesus? “So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins” (Ephesians 1:6-7).
This season, as we decorate our homes with touches of red, let’s pause and thank God for love that compelled Jesus to come as a child destined to spill His blood at the cross for our salvation.
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Even in warm climates, Christmas decorations often include peaceful winter scenes with snow-capped cottages and frost-tinged evergreens. The soft white snow reminds us of a promise God said to His people, and to us, in the book of Isaiah.
“’Come now, let’s settle this,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool’” (Isaiah 1:18).
God created us and desires the best for us. He hates the stain of sin passed down to us from Adam and Eve. Sin enslaves us with corrupted desires. But if we will receive Jesus by faith, He brings us out of slavery to sin and into the freedom of forgiveness. He clothes us in the white linen of His righteousness and adopts us as children into His forever family.
Look for the white color of Christmas in candy canes, snowmen, angels, and even holiday movies. Let’s remind ourselves to thank Jesus for forgiveness that offers new life in the family of God.
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For years, I traveled annually to the frozen tundra of Siberia in the depths of winter to share God’s love with Russian people. I’ve noticed they often combat the bleakness of the season by growing plants indoors. Thriving green foliage dispels bitter hopelessness that sets in during a prolonged winter.
Christmas green is the color of evergreen trees. True to their name, they remain the same hue in every season: lush spring, balmy summer, crisp fall, and barren winter. The steadfast boughs highlight the unchanging character of Jesus. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Because God never changes, we can fully trust Him. But we can only trust what we know. Fortunately, God doesn’t leave us to guess about His character and will. “We have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:12). When we read the Bible — God’s Word — under the influence of the Holy Spirit, our trust and reliance on Him deepens.
No doubt you have decked your halls with evergreens, a reminder of Jesus’ unchanging character. As you appreciate the cheer and life the sprigs bring into your home, respond to God with gratitude. You can always count on His constant nature.
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The shimmer of tinsel and luster of silver baubles add sparkle to Christmas trees. Silver in our Christmas décor always catches the light and the eye.
The psalmist compares God’s promises to a particular precious and valuable metal. “The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over” (Psalm 12:6).
A metal known for resisting corrosion, pure silver reflects visible light almost as well as a mirror. The treasure aptly compares to God’s promises because Jesus, the Light of the world, completes every promise of God. “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ (which means ‘Yes’) ascends to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
We’ve all experienced the heartbreak of promises broken by people we’ve trusted. But the promises of God found in His Word have been tested over time and found to be pure and reliable. Most notably, Jesus fulfilled the promise for a Savior spoken by God to Adam immediately after the first man fell prey to temptation.
Some of God’s promises remain unfulfilled, but they’re not forgotten. God is still working out His master plan that culminates in Jesus’ return to earth. We look forward to the day when He restores brilliance to all that has been tarnished by sin.
When the gleam of silver catches your eye this Christmas season, thank God for promises He has fulfilled. And for those promises not yet realized, keep believing in Jesus, our unfailing promise keeper.
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In his iconic song, “Silver and Gold,” Burl Ives crooned about the pleasure we gain when we pair these two luminous metals in our decorations at Christmas. He was right. The radiance of gold lends warmth and beauty to our fireplace mantels, Christmas trees, and table decorations.
Once we join God’s family by faith in Jesus, He continues to work to eradicate sinful desires and strengthen our trust. The Apostle Peter compares the process of gold purification to God’s purification of our faith. To produce pure gold, the refiner applies fire to melt the metal. Impurities rise to the surface, and the craftsman skims off dross that would dim the splendor of the finished creation.
In the same way, God allows trials to heat up our lives to produce the purity and radiance of holiness.
“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7).
We may be tempted to say, “No, thank you” to trials God allows in our lives. But let’s remember Jesus goes with us through fiery ordeals. His Holy Spirit attends to all our needs to prove He is faithful. We’ll see the resulting holiness when the fire cools.
As you decorate with gold this Christmas, linger in the memory of refining trials that prompted a greater reliance on God. Thank Jesus for skimming off impurities within you to produce faith and holiness that is worth more than fine gold.
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We wrap gifts in paper printed with all the traditional colors of Christmas. Some of the packages seem too beautiful to tear open.
Have you unwrapped God’s gift of Jesus? He offers salvation to all people (John 3:16). Perhaps you have received Jesus as your Savior, yet you haven’t applied His gospel to your life. Commit to receive and know your Savior through His Word this Christmas.
The colors of Christmas point to Jesus’ trustworthy character of love, mercy, and holiness. But we have much more to learn. Continue your journey of discovery this Christmas season with my new devotional, 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus. Each day leading up to Christmas, we’ll explore how a symbol or tradition of Christmas leads us to adore the Savior born in Bethlehem so long ago.
At my YouTube channel, I also offer a video for each devotion that gives more information about the symbols and traditions. In the “Let’s Go Deeper” section, you’ll find practical ideas to stay focused on Jesus.
May the colors, symbols, and traditions of Christmas lead you to fall more in love with Jesus each day of this Christmas season.
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