A Christ-Centered Christmas Doesn't Have to Be HardPrimjer

Colors of Christmas

I have many fond memories from my childhood, especially those surrounding Christmas. My mom went to great lengths to make our holiday celebrations special. She decorated the house for most holidays, adding little reminders of the season to just about every room.

Like many children, I especially enjoyed the Christmas tree with its many lights and ornaments.

Sometimes, however, less is more. I remember one year, my mom put up a silver tree without any ornaments. Instead of lights wound around each branch, she placed a lighted color wheel off to the side, which poured forth rays of colored light across the branches of our tree, causing it to reflect shades of red, blue, green, and yellow.

Sometimes I laid underneath, peering up through the branches, for hours. It was a spiritual experience of sorts that filled me with joy and peace. I can honestly say, it was my all-time favorite tree.

Color is a gift from God. I can’t imagine this world without it. We are told that creation itself shouts the glory of God, giving proof of God’s existence (Romans 1:20).

Creation’s canvas really does hold the power to move our spirit. A gorgeous sunrise or the clear blue sky. A colorful rainbow arching across the firmament or the red, orange, purple, and yellow hues of foliage in late October. What a gift it is to feast upon such beauty.

And then there are the colors of Christmas: red, blue, green, yellow, purple, silver, gold, and white.

Each of these colors holds a deeper meaning when we view them against the backdrop of God’s Word.

RED represents humanity and sacrifice. This color reminds me that God left the beauty of heaven, became man, and dwelt among us with blood coursing through His veins, blood that was poured out to cover our sins. (Colossians 1:19-20)

BLUE represents the heavens. Think blue sky and divinity. (Exodus 24:9-10)

PURPLE represents royalty, majesty, and priesthood. Jesus is KING. Red and blue together make purple. It’s interesting for us to consider this truth, since red represents humanity and blue divinity. Jesus was both human and divine. (John 19:2)

GREEN symbolizes life, restoration, and new beginnings. The evergreen tree represents life everlasting through Christ our Lord. (John 10:10)

YELLOW/GOLD is associated with God’s presence. Think of the gold-covered Ark of the Covenant in Holy of Holies, the magi’s gift to Jesus, or the yellow tongues of fire resting upon the Disciple’s heads during Pentecost. (Matthew 2:11, Deuteronomy 4:24, Acts 2:3)

SILVER is symbolic for the Word of God and refining. (Psalm 12:6)

WHITE represents light, holiness, purity, righteousness, and redemption. (John 1:9, Matthew 28:3, Revelation 6:11)

May we never again take for granted the beauty of God’s creation or the spiritual significance behind the colors of Christmas.

Personal Reflection

• Which of the colors of Christmas highlighted above are your favorite and why?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your Word, and for the beauty of your Creation. Thank you for all of the magnificent colors that remind us of your goodness and love. Amen