Then Pealed the Bells

I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day

Hymn of the Day

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Based on: Micah 5:5
“And this one shall be peace.”

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play.

And wild and sweet the words repeat of

'Peace on Earth, Good will to men!'

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song of

'Peace on Earth, goodwill to men!'

Then in despair, I bowed my head,

"There is no peace on earth", I said,

"For hate is strong, and mocks the song of

'Peace on Earth, goodwill to men!'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep!

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with

'Peace on Earth, goodwill to men!'"

‘Til ringing, singing on its way
The world revolves from night to day.
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of
“Peace on Earth, Good will to men!”

Meditation - “Then Pealed the Bells”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this lovely Christmas carol at the turn of the nineteenth century. It is one of only a few written by the great poet. The phrase “Peace on Earth, Good will to men” inspired this poem. The New England poet truly believed that God was powerful and strong enough to overcome the strife on Earth and had vision far beyond his time to a day  when all nations would live together in peace.

We seldom think of Longfellow as a hymnwriter because, at the mention of his name, we almost immediately think of poetry such as “The Village Smithy”, “The Chestnut Tree”, “Three Doors Left Unguarded”, and the stair clock tirelessly ticking away “Forever - Never! Never – Forever!”

This hymn was written by Longfellow at a time when he was deeply troubled by thoughts of peace and events of the Civil War (Christmas, 1863). The Civil War in the United States was at its climax, and the country was in the midst of bloody turmoil. Longfellow’s concern is evident in every stanza of the hymn with his repetition of the “Peace on Earth, Good will to men!” phrase closing out each stanza. Since he was considered the most influential poet of his day, Longfellow brought fresh courage and renewed faith to many of his countrymen who read this poem.

It had seven stanzas originally and was titled “Christmas Bells”. References to the Civil War are prevalent in the verses that are currently omitted from our hymnals, much more so than in the verses that have been retained. What is left, and what is so clearly expressed in the five current verses, is that God is still in charge and in command, and in His own time He will cause the right to triumph. The beautiful, chiming bells of Christmas reassure us of this important truth. Listen for them throughout the season.

It was eighteen years after he wrote this poem that Longfellow’s personal peace was again completely shattered. His second wife, to whom he was deeply devoted, was tragically burned in a fire. He was completely and totally devastated by her death. He continued to write throughout the rest of his life, creating some of his greatest works during this period of immense personal crisis and grief.

Longfellow was born in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Bowdoin College, and spent six years as a Professor there before getting a position as Professor of Modern language at Harvard University. He was a Unitarian, but maintained a strong belief in God’s goodness and personal concern for His people. Following his death, his bust was placed in the Poet’s Corner of London’s Westminster Abbey as one of its immortal American writers.

The sole message of this carol, then, is the peace and good will about which the angels sang.
No other aspects of the nativity story are mentioned at all, either directly or implied . . . no references to the birth, to Mary or Joseph, to the manger or Bethlehem, shepherds or angels . . . wise men or gifts, etc. There is also a glaring lack of historical reference . . . only the implication of the historical significance of the birth of Jesus.

He wrote the hymn in the first person, giving it quite an unusual style in which to express his thoughts, feelings and responses to the Civil War and the lack of peace he  felt so keenly. He placed the Christmas story into his own personal lifetime. Peace and good will are lamented for their absence from the society of his day - - - absent and sorely “missed”.

I can understand Longfellow’s sadness and
his concern about the lack of peace he found in the society in which he lived. I have had
times in my own life when thoughts of peace weighed heavily on my mind and heart. I have had those times when I have bowed before
God and said, “there is no peace anywhere”.
I have longed for that peace which passes understanding, and yet found it to be ever elusive, and I have cried out to God. I know first-hand how life’s experiences can shatter
the peace of one’s soul. I believe, however, as did Longfellow, that the bells are pealing loudly and deeply that God is NOT dead nor is He asleep, and that wrong will fail and right will prevail, and that “Peace on earth, Good will to men!” will indeed come to pass. I believe that God will bring about His Kingdom in which there will be that “chant sublime” of “Peace on Earth, Good will to men!”

What do you believe?

Prayer - Dear God, we thank You for redeeming our sinful world and for bringing peace into our hearts. We are often at war with each other and within ourselves and feel the absence of peace, but you have sent us your Son, the Prince of Peace, to restore our calm and allow us to live in peace and harmony with each other and within ourselves. Make us instruments of your peace to all others with whom we may come into contact, for we ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen~

Activity - Go star-gazing tonight! For whatever reason wind is not much of a factor on winter nights, so the main “element” to be dealt with is cold. If you can, pretend it’s completely natural to be outdoors now. Think about what winter feels like to you. As you observe the night sky around you, think of the Nativity story. Imagine yourself one of the shepherds on the hillside who saw the bright new star. Remember special childhood experiences of winter. Make sure to dress for the weather, and don’t stay out too long in the cold. Remember that the days will soon be getting longer!

Simple Things - Gifts to Each Other

 

(Nature's Christmas Trees - Simple Gifts!

Taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cranberry Ridge Overlook) 

 “The Difficulty of Simplicity”

Lectionary Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Christmas Hymn of the Day – “Simple Gifts” – Shaker Hymn

 

Based on: Matthew 6:19-34

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

 

"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

 

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

 

"So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

 

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the 

kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJ)

 

‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘Tis a gift to be free,

‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

 

When true simplicity is gained, 

To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.

To turn, turn, will be our delight,

‘Till by turning, turning, we come round right.

 

~ Meditation ~

“The Difficulty of Simplicity”

It is interesting to me to note through the reading of the Scriptures how many of the concerns of daily life today are the same as they were in Jesus’ day.  We have just read Jesus’ words to us about not worrying about clothing, and food, and where we shall live, and all of these things that so consume our thoughts on a daily basis. 

Something else about which we worry, which can and should be included  in a modern list of what not to worry about is what we’re going to give people for Christmas gifts.

Yes, we have the same needs and the same worries - - - food, clothing, possessions, health, others. The Greek word for “sound” also means “simple” or “single”. We should consider how, in our own world in our day, we can follow Jesus’ emphasis on singleness of purpose; one focus, one master, one goal. 

 

Jesus tells us to seek first His kingdom and not to worry about the rest of it. How do we do that? Think about how we do that. Think about a single life experience of yours - - - pared
down to its most simple elements.  What’s it like? Focus on the King of Kings – His kingdom – His righteousness.
How does the situation change?

 

“Simple Gifts” is an old, classic Shaker hymn. It is carefree and joyous of spirit. Shakers would often dance to this song, celebrating the gift of simplicity, a wonderfully freeing gift, leading to the “valley of love and delight”. Our word “simple”, derived from the Latin word meaning “single”, sometimes has negative or austere connotations. Singing this hymn can help us regain a right perspective on the gift and discipline of simplicity.

 

The Scripture referenced here shows us that life has always been complicated.  Possessions have always required time and effort to protect. Food and clothing have always been concerns. Some of us worry about where our next meal is coming from while others of us worry about how many fat grams are in our breakfast cereal.

 

Technology, prosperity, and political freedom may increase our choices, but they do not prohibit our responsibility from practicing simplicity. It may make our need for it all the more acute, in fact. Practicing simplicity extends way beyond possessions. We need to simplify our schedules. Do any of us truly “seek first His kingdom” before we write in our datebooks? Do we enjoy simple entertainment? Do we enjoy reading, walking, singing?

 

What about simplicity of personality? Getting rid of pretense and seeking to bless rather than impress? Can we see and accept the gift to “come down where we ought to be?”  There is such a thing as simple faith. This is not simplistic faith at all which asks no questions. It is childlike faith, which, though full of questions, trusts in a wise loving Father. 

Simplicity is needed in every area of our lives.  How do we both get and practice this gift of simplicity? It begins with singularity or simplicity of heart. It involves turning and “re” turning again and again to simple focus; to always “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” in the certainty that our needs will be met by the loving grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father.

 

Prayer – Our Father, we confess that we lead lives that are anything but simple, and that we run around at times like gerbils in a cage, not even stopping long enough to take a breath. Teach us the beauty and wisdom of simple living, for we need this so desperately. Slow us down, Lord, and free us from the tyranny of the complexities of our lives, for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. ~

 

Activity - For the next month, allow yourself to utter daily the words of the hymn, ‘Simple Gifts’. Think “simple” in your plans for the holidays. Try to adopt the philosophy that “less is more” wherever you can possibly do so.

What Does it Mean to “Be” the Church?

 

Scripture Luke 12:41-48 

Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?" And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."

HYMN OF THE DAY - "I Am The Church"

(Chorus) "I am the church!
You are the church!
We are the church together!

All who follow Jesus, all around the world!
Yes, we're the church together!"

"The church is not a building,
the church is not a steeple,

The church is not a resting place,
the church is a people." (Chorus) 

"We're many kinds of people,
with many kinds of faces,

All colors and all ages, too,
from all times and places." (Chorus) 

"Sometimes the church is marching,
sometimes it's bravely burning,

Sometimes it's riding, sometimes hiding,
Always it's learning." (Chorus) 

"And when the people gather,
there's singing and there's praying,

There's laughing and there's crying sometimes, all of it saying:" (Chorus)
 

MEDITATION - "I" Am the Church!

 

The "Stewards" in this parable probably refer to Christian leaders and the responsibility they bear NOT to misuse their positions of leadership for personal advantage. Deliberate offenders will be judged as "unbelievers". God holds us responsible for our actions based on our knowledge of His will for ourselves and for His whole creation. Understanding this means we also understand what sin is and isn't!!! We are held accountable for our sins, both those of commission and omission!!!! Something is not a sin until we understand it as such and choose to do it, or not do it anyway! 

Look back at the words of the hymn for today. I find this charming little hymn to be both comforting and maddening. Such simple words, yet so profound in meaning! It is found in the United Methodist Hymnal under the category "Nature of the Church", and it tells a lot about that very thing, indeed. I think it also conveys a tremendous amount of responsibility on me - - - indeed, on everyone who sings it!!

Responsibility? How so?

"I" am the church. I represent the church wherever I go, in whatever I say, and however I act . . . I "am" the church. Some people will never, ever go inside a building that says "church", or "temple", or "synagogue", or "Kingdom Hall" or any of the other ways we identify our gathering places for worship, but they may see me going in or coming out, and in that moment, I "am" the church - - - some people will decide what the church is all about based on what they know about me - - - good, bad or indifferent. Some people will see me
and decide whether or not I am one of the hypocrites who keep them away from the church.  If I am somewhere I shouldn't be, doing things I shouldn't be doing and that weaken my witness, I "am" the church in that moment in that place as surely as I am when I am on the organ bench on Sunday morning or when I am in Prayer Meeting on Wednesday evening. Maybe I am "MORE" the church in  the bar than I am inside the walls of the church building.
 

If I am failing to respond to someone in need,
I "am" the church as surely as I am when I am standing in a line as a volunteer serving soup to the homeless on a cold winter day. If I am pushing ahead of someone to get a parking place in the lot at the grocery store or at the mall, or hurrying to get in the just-opened checkout line at Wal-Mart,  I "am" the
church, just as surely as I am when I am working in the kitchen serving potluck supper in the Fellowship Building of our physical church plant. 

If I am driving and cut someone off with a gesture, I "am" the church just as surely as when I am shaking that same hand on
Sunday morning after services, or when I am letting someone go in front of me when I'm waiting to get out of a parking place in front
of my church building. 

I "am" the church - - - 24/7 - - - I "am"
the only Bible some people will ever read and the only sermon some people will ever hear. The scary thing about this for me is that I may not ever even know what influence and/or affect I've had on someone else, for the good or for the "not-so-good" 

It's a lot of responsibility. Sometimes I don't WANT to be the church - - - sometimes I don't WANT to be charged with all of that responsibility, but no matter - - - I "am" still the church - - - the church is not a building nor a steeple - - - the church provides sanctuary and respite for a time, but it is NOT a resting place - - - it's a people. Were all the people to go away, the building that "housed" them would immediately cease to be the church in that place. The church is a PEOPLE. 

I "am" the church.

"We're many kinds of people,
with many kinds of faces,

All colors and all ages, too,
from all times and places." 

The church is many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces - - - all colors, ages, sizes, shapes, gifts, graces, handicaps, needs, and experiences. We are many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces - - - we're all colors and all ages. We come together with all of this and more - - - we come with our needs and our experiences and our "baggage" - - - we are no stronger than our weakest member!

I "am" the church. 

"Sometimes the church is marching,
sometimes it's bravely burning,

Sometimes it's riding, sometimes hiding,
always it's learning." 

Sometimes I am marching and working
hard and feeling so good about things. Sometimes I am bravely burning - - - for the church, for family, for friends, for some community cause, for conservation, etc., and sometimes, I am shrinking from the "flames"
in cowardice, anything but brave, and in fear. 

Sometimes I, too, am "riding" or "coasting" and sometimes I am really hiding - from myself, from you, from the world, from responsibility for others, from God -  from love, from pain, or from loss and and from my own brokenness.

I "am" still the church. 

"And when the people gather,
there's singing and there's praying,

There's laughing and there's crying sometimes."

This "IS" the nature of the church. We gather, we celebrate, we care about and think about each other and our needs and concerns; we laugh and joke around and, very often,  we cry together - - - for ourselves and for each other... whether in church or at the lakeside or under the bed - - - this is our nature, as people in relationships and as the church.

I "am" the church. We "are" the church - - - whether we are "there" or "here" or even somewhere else. This is the responsibility, I think. This is the burden. This is the joy. If we represent the church everywhere we go, what does this say about our responsibility as Christian leaders to not corrupt the message for personal gain? For ease of lifestyle? For pride? For prejudice? And what, perhaps most importantly for us, what does it say about
what God requires of us, who have greater understanding of His word and His will?

It says, and frighteningly so in some ways, that we will be required to give a stricter accounting for our actions as Christians, for the way we "are" the church, than will those who have less understanding. This is quite a responsibility -  quite a burden, isn't it? 

PRAYER - Dear Jesus, we thank You for loving us and for Your guiding Presence in our lives all the time, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We thank You for trusting us to be the Church and to represent You and Your love to a hurting world. Help us to stay aware of the influence we have on others and to be faithful and pure in our living so as to be examples that are safe to follow! In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen 

ACTIVITY - Reflect upon your influence on other people. Ask yourself, "Whom do I influence and how?" "How do I 'try' to influence others and how?" "How do I affect others negatively? Positively?" Make a list of things that you do that might provide negative influences on others - - - have a little ceremony with yourself in which you burn your list. Make a contribution to your church's outreach or mission program in honor of your decision and commitment to eliminate your negative influence on others.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall Come to All of Us!

First Sunday in Advent  

"Waiting and Watching"

COLOR: Purple ~ CANDLE: The Candle of Hope

The candle we light today symbolizes Israel’s hope
for the coming of the Messiah,
and our hope as Christians for the coming again of
Christ in final victory.

Hymn of the Day -

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

"O Come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear."
"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel"


"O Come, O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
And order all things far and nigh.
To us the path of knowledge show,
And cause us in her ways to go."
"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."


"O Come, Thou Root of Jesse's tree, 
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call."
"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."


"O Come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight."
"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."


"O Come, Desire of Nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind.
From dust Thou brought us forth to life;
Deliver us from earthly strife."
"Rejoice! Rejoice!  Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel." 
 (Public Domain) 

Lectionary Readings for the
First Sunday of Advent ~ Year A

Isaiah 2:1-5    Psalm 122    Romans 13:11-14    Matthew 24:36-44

Based on Luke 1:32-33

"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the highest;

and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

and of His kingdom there will be no end."

~Meditation ~

"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall Come to All of Us!"

When this hymn was published in 1851, it bore the name of John Mason Neale as the author, but the hymn was actually inspired by a Latin hymn of an anonymous writer.

The hymn was based on seven antiphons dating to the 9th century or even earlier. Antiphons are short verses, sung at vespers before and after the "Magnificat" - - - part of the Advent season (between December 16th and Christmas Eve).

The seven antiphons were called the "Great O’s" because each one began with an "O", and each one was an address to Christ with one of His titles from the Bible – Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, King, God with Us . . . Some of the verses were made into a hymn by an unknown writer around the 12th Century and John Mason Neale made the English paraphrase we find familiar today.

The Messiah’s coming (Advent) was prophesied to Jews who were held captive in Babylon some 600 or more years before His birth. Jews of that time faithfully believed that their Deliverer, their Messiah, would come to free them from slavery. Their hopes and celebrations centered around their great longing and expectations - - - echoes of their prayer for a Messiah to "ransom captive Israel."

This hymn tells us that Advent is a joyous season because it is the time when God draws near to everyone to deliver them from bondage with the coming of Emmanuel.

Bondage? Are we in bondage in this day and age? If so, to what? Bondage is a very strong word . . . it means things like "captivity" and "slavery" and "servitude" and "enslavement" . . . are we any of those things? I know that I am at times enslaved, and I don’t like it when it happens. People become enslaved by their jobs, by the lure of money and "things". They become captives to substances and lead miserable existences. Sometimes people are held captive through no fault of their own. The Israelites were being held captive by cruel slavedrivers. They longed for the promised Messiah, a Savior, to come to them and free them from those who held them captive.

Do we also "long" for the coming to us of the Savior? Do we seek out His presence, and LONG for Him to come to us again, as He has in the past, and afresh as we so desperately need?  Do we joyfully anticipate His arrival anew in our hearts and lives during Advent? How are we like the Israelites? How are we not like them at all?

Prayer ~ Gracious God and loving Father of us all, we pray for spirits of joyful anticipation during this Advent season as we wait for the coming anew in our midst of the divine Gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. We confess that we are far too often willing to be enslaved by the things of this world, and that we too often fail to live the abundant life You have promised to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and who follow His teachings. We thank you for providing our Messiah - - - our Savior - - - and the means of salvation from these sins. We praise your most holy Name and look with expectant and thoughtful hearts toward His coming again. Amen ~

Activity ~ Start reading a long book. Find a book, novel, etc., you’ve been wanting to read, the longer the book, the better the choice. Advent and Christmas are full of stress because there is so much we think we must do. One of the first things to "go" is personal time. Committing yourself to reading a good book during the season, a little bit each day, will insure you some personal private time each day in a sea of chaos.  Light a candle and sit quietly in a cnadlelit room with just enough light to see your book . . .

"I feel strongly that all the arts, and particularly music, should be used in the service of Him who has created and given them." Martin Luther

Meaning of Some of our Christian Symbols

You will find in this particular post a description of some of the most prevalent symbols in our churches . . . I've found it fascinating to learn that what is depicted in our stained glass windows and placed on our altars, etc., have very definite meanings. 
 

"Spiritual Gifts"

There are a number of symbols that we find used in the church which use the number seven. All of these symbols are taken to symbolize the seven spiritual gifts that were given to Christ and thus to all believers. Revelation speaks of these seven gifts as
power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory and blessing.

Many traditions believe that the spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit, as He wills, to whom He wills,  and where and when He wills . . . the gifts are then called charismatic gifts.

 

"Trumpet"

The trumpet is used to symbolize the calling of the faithful of God to worship. It is also used to
represent the resurrection and the day of judgment - - - the final trumpet call.

 

"Olive Branch"

Olive trees provide shelter and places of rest during the heat of the day, and olive oil is used for ointments and cooking.  he olive branch has come to symbolize peace, harmony and healing.

 

"Lamp"

In the ancient world a lamp was not merely a light for the darkness, but also a symbol of intelligence and learning.  Even today the lamp stands for wisdom and knowledge.

 

"Saint Nicholas"

The Festival of St. Nicholas is celebrated in many cultures on December 6th. Nicholas was a Bishop in what was then Turkey.  He was something of an anonymous Patron to the village he served, and went about doing things for those who were in need.
There is a beautiful story in our Legends of Christmas which tells of his providing dowries for a father with three daughters.  He was caught the third time as he tried to "slip in" to leave the gold coins. The Bishop swore the father to absolute secrecy for
as long as the Bishop lived. He was later canonized and became Saint Nicholas. "SANTA" is another way of spelling "SAINT" and "CLAUS" is the Dutch way of pronouncing the last part of St. Nicholas' name "CHOLAS".  From this we get the name "Santa Claus".

 

"Noah's Ark with Rainbow"

This is the most common symbol of the flood, and is also a symbol of the church since, in the Ark, all living creatures found refuge from great danger. When shown with the rainbow, as it is here, we understand the rainbow to represent God's covenant (promise) to His people that never again would he send the flood waters to destroy His creation. It is interesting to note that there are two aspects of the flood waters that we should be aware of; one being the danger represented and the fact that those inhabitants of the Ark were saved from the flood waters, and the other being that they were also saved by the flood waters as they lifted the tiny Ark higher and higher where it rode out the storm, safe from the dangers that were to be found beneath the Ark. The Ark is used as a symbol of the Church and the safety to be found within Her doors.

 

"Musical Instruments"

The depiction of musical instruments in the church reminds us of the praise of God and of so many of the Psalms, songs of King David,
including Psalm 150 which includes the words: "Praise the Lord with the sounds of the harp" and "Praise the Lord with the loud cymbals." Musical instruments have become a very popular tenant of many Christmas displays, just as music occupies a prominent place in
our worship, especially at Christmas!

 

"Shepherd's Crook"

The use of the shepherd's crook in this symbol calls to mind the Nativity of Jesus and the shepherds who gathered around the manger. The staff can also serve to remind us that Christ called Himself "The Good Shepherd".

 

"St. John The Baptist"

The birth of John the Baptist is celebrated rather than his death. The promise of John's birth was given to Zachariah as he was performing his duties as a priest in the Temple at Jerusalem. John was the immediate forerunner of Christ, telling people to prepare the way for the Lord's coming. His ministry was short but highly successful. In Christian art John the Baptist may be represented by a lamb on a book, by a lamb and a cross, by a head on a platter, or by a figure of a man, dressed in a camel's hair coat.

 

"Scallop Shell with Water Droplets"

The Scallop Shell with three drops of water is one of many symbols used to represent the Sacrament of Baptism. It is used to signify both Jesus' baptism and ours. There is nothing specific in scripture about the use of a shell , but some ancient art depicts John the Baptist holding a shell from which he poured water over the head of Jesus when he was baptizing him.
Several denominations today, including United Methodism, permit the use of an actual seashell in the Sacrament.  The three droplets of water are representative of the Trinity and our baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

"Christ The Vine"

This symbol represents Christ, who tells us in John 15 "I am the vine, you are the branches." We use this symbol to represent the close union of Christ and the members of His church. We know that a branch thrives when it is close to the root and the stem of the plant, and so, too, do we grow and thrive when we remain close to the fellowship of the church and when we worship and pray and read God's Word.

 

"Cornerstone"

The cornerstone with the abbreviations of the Greek words for Jesus on the edges is representative of Him who was,  in Ephesians 2:20, declared to be the chief cornerstone of the Kingdom of God.

 

"Christmas Rose"

The rose has been widely used to symbolize a number of things, including the nativity; the Virgin Mary (white); martyrdom (red);  on the cross to represent the death of Christ. The rose also symbolizes love and reminds us during Advent of the words in John:3:16.
The Christmas Rose is a hardy white rose that blooms at Christmastime!

 

"Fig Tree"

The fig tree is a symbol of faithfulness and fruitfulness. It is also the symbol for St. Bartholomew.

 

"Open Bible"

An open book, often seen in religious art, books, publications and churches, refers to the Holy Bible, the Word of God.   The open book symbolizes the accessibility of the Word throughout most of the world.

 

"Descending Dove" "Flames"

The descending dove is one of the most familiar and usual symbols of Baptism. The flame, sometimes shown as seven flames, also forms a common symbol of the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit rested, not unlike "tongues of fire", on the followers of Christ,

 

"Shepherd and Lamb"

This symbol , seen so often in religious art, is also found in the catacombs of the ruins of ancient Rome. It calls to mind  the loving care of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

 

"Alpha and Omega"

The symbols representing the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet are grouped together here - - - Alpha and Omega - - - symbolize Jesus as the First and Last, the Beginning and the End, The Author and Finisher of all things. It is also understood to be a symbol of the eternal and unchangeable presence of Christ in our lives.

 

"Lion and Lamb"

The Lion and the Lamb lying peacefully together, as shown on our cover, is one of the most beautiful symbols of peace in all of Christian Symbolism. The symbol is based on a passage in Isaiah Chapter 11 in which the kingdom of the Messiah is described in which
all inhabitants of the earth will live in peace and harmony. (Isaiah 11:1-16)

 

"Candles"

Candles have come to be an important part of Advent decorations as they symbolize the Light of the World, which is Jesus, come among us. Lighted candles occupy a prominent place as well in our worship all year round, representing Jesus' own words as recorded in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. They also suggest the twofold nature of Christ when displayed in pairs - - - the human and the divine.

 

"Cross" "IHS" "Chi Rho"

The cross is one of the most beloved symbols of Christianity of all of them, despite its being one of the cruelest means of death ever devised. There are dozens and dozens of different crosses that are used throughout the church. The one most often seen on Protestant altars is the Calvary  Cross, sometimes also called the Graded Cross because of the three "steps" on which it stands.   The letters "IHS" are often seen on crosses in our churches. They represent the first three letters of the word "Jesus" in Greek.  The Chi Rho symbol is an ancient monogram of Christ and is often found on altars, book marks, and stoles. The most usual form consists of the P within the X and has been in use for at least 1600 years.

 

"Angel"

There are many, many depictions of angels throughout the church, history, and currently in personal use by lots of people.   Angels have traditionally been seen in the roles of messengers in most of the major religions. They are sent to "stand in the gap" between God and humankind.  Throughout the BIBLE there are accounts of occasions on which God sent an angel as the bearer of His message to  someone in need or in fear. An angel appeared to Joseph to calm his fears about marrying Mary - - - an angel appeared to Mary to announce the impending birth of the Son of God and to calm her fears . . . an angel appeared to Zechariah  to announce the coming birth of John the Baptist and to tell Zechariah what the baby's name was to be - - - angels play a  prominent part in the history of the Christian church. The "Herald Angel" appears with right hand raised in benediction as a symbol of the Nativity.

 

"Madonna" (Mary)

The figure of Mary, mother of Jesus, is one that is familiar to all of us, possibly more so to Roman Catholics.  The "Madonna" represents the motherhood of Mary. It is not hard to call to mind the image of a young mother with her first  child . . . and when we remember the circumstances of Mary's motherhood of Jesus, the Incarnation and Immaculate Conception,
we understand anew the awe and wonder and mystery of the birth of our Lord.

 

"Manger"

The manger is a wonderful symbol for we immediately remember the details of the Nativity of our Lord --- the shepherds on the hillside - - - the angels rejoicing at the birth - - - the innkeeper and the "no room" in the inn on that Holy Night - - - and we remember the animals which must have been present at the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem - - - the smells and sounds of the barn - - - the borrowed crib - - -

 

"The Infant Christ" "Holy Family"

The infant Christ and the Holy Family are two symbols that bring to mind all the wonder and glory of the Christmas story . . . the love of Mary and of Joseph . . . the wonder that is always present in the countenance of a newborn baby and the adoring parents. Since God chose to come to earth as a tiny Babe, we can safely assume that Mary and Joseph were much like any
other parents experiencing the birth of their first child. The Holy Family was in every sense a real family, and no doubt experienced  all the joys and sorrows, hopes and disappointments, victories and defeats, etc. that are experienced by any family.

 

"Fruits of the Spirit"

There are numerous depictions of the nine fruits of the Spirit. One of the most frequently used is a nine-pointed star with each point containing the initial of the Latin words for each one of the gifts.

 

"Bells"

Bells are used in the church to signify the calling of the faithful to worship. Bells have often been used to call people from one task or activity to another, and when used to call God's people to worship, they can be seen to symbolize the need for prioritizing our lives so that the things of God occupy a higher position than the things of the world.

 

"House on a Rock"

Sometimes a house or a church is shown sitting atop a sturdy rock (reminiscent of the Rock of Gibraltar) and we are thus reminded of secure foundations for our faith, the safety of the church and the wisdom of building our homes on solid ground rather than shifting
sand and of building our lives by faith in God and in His Son our Savior who is often described as the rock of faith against which the very gates of Hell shall not prevail!

 

"Ichthys" "Pelican-in-Her-Piety" "Ship"

The fish, Ichthys in Greek, is one of the symbols used to represent Jesus Christ. It is not used primarily to remind us that fish and fishing were part of Jesus' life so much as it is used because the word can form a sort of rebus or puzzle which helps us make
a statement of faith. The word is made up of five letters of the Greek alphabet - i-ch-th-y-s. The five letters become initials for the five words which say: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. The Pelican is a symbol of atonement - - - "at-one-ment". The pelican has long been believed to sacrifice her own blood if necessary to feed her young. The ship has long been understood to represent the church .

 

"Wise Men Heading to Bethlehem"

This is something of a self-explanatory symbol, for who among us does not remember the story of the visit of the Wise Men to the Infant Jesus? We have but to see the silhouettes of the Magi and the outline of the little town of Bethlehem in the distance to remember the story we love so much, not only the visit of the three kings, but the entire Christmas story!

 

"The Keys"

When keys are displayed as a symbol in the church, several meanings can be implied. Isaiah mentions the "key of the house of David," meaning the Church. Christ refers to Himself the power of this key and we learn that whoever controls the key controls the entire house. We understand this to symbolize our Lord's being in charge of His church, with all power to forgive and retain sins and thus
open and shut the doors of heaven itself.

 

"Butterfly"
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The butterfly symbolizes new life and the Resurrection of Jesus. It is one of the most beautiful symbols we have to depict new life in Christ. The life of a butterfly, as brief as it is, is lived in three distinguishable stages - - - larva or caterpillar stage, chrysalis or cocoon stage, and finally the mature butterfly.

 

"Anchor of Hope"

The anchor symbolizes the hope of Christians concerning those who have gone on to be with the Father, and has been seen for years and years and years on the tombstones in old church cemeteries, which are, by the way, excellent places to observe the depiction of many Christian symbols. The anchor symbolizes hope for the living as well as the dead.
Christian hope gives stability and support amid the tumult and turmoil of life.

 

"Triquetra"

The triquetra is an early symbol of the Holy Trinity. It is but one among many, many symbols for the Trinity (others include the equilateral triangle, the trefoil, the shamrock, the fleur-de-lis, three intertwined circles, and many others.)  The three equal arcs of the triquetra (pronounced "try-ket-truh") symbolize eternity in their continuous form;  indivisibility in their interweaving, and the center of the intertwined arcs forms a triangle, the ancient symbol of the Trinity.  The number three usually symbolizes the Holy Trinity wherever it appears .

 

"Hand of God"

The hand of God is depicted in a number of ways in Christian Symbolism. It can be seen pointing upwards with three fingers extended,  suggesting the Holy Trinity; pointing downward holding people, suggesting the souls of the righteous in the hand of God; and pointing downward with open palm, suggesting the Father as creator of all things. In the symbol shown here there is a "halo"
effect (called a "tri-radiant nimbus) suggesting that the hand is the hand of the Divine.

 

"Chalice, Grapes, Wheat (loaf) and Cross"

The chalice or cup is a symbol of the blood of Christ and is a prominent part of Holy Communion. Grapes also are a commonly seen symbol of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. A loaf, or heads of wheat, symbolize the bread of Life and are also part of elements used in Holy Communion. The bread is also representative of the Body of Christ.  The Cross, whenever it is seen, reminds us of the death of Christ to atone for our sins.

 

"Star" "Gifts" "Three Kings"

Stars are used in many different forms in many different applications. The general meaning attached to the star is that of the manifestation, or revealing, of Jesus to the Gentiles.

The pictures of three Wise Men and three gifts represent both the first gifts given to the Holy Child and the Wise Men themselves.
The number "three" (three Wise Men, three gifts) is significant and represents the Trinity - - -
God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

The Seasons of Christmas

 

THE S E A S O N S of C H R I S T M A S

Marking the Days

    There are many ways to observe the passage of the days of the Holiday Season - to somehow "mark" them as special and "set apart" from ordinary days. Each method has its own unique value. Included in the next few pages are brief discussions of three of these "tools" --- Holiday Journaling, Advent Calendars, and the Advent Wreath.

    I - HOLIDAY JOURNALING - Advent is a time for waiting in the Lord's presence - a time to be still and know God (Psalms 46:10). Set aside a time each day to sit in His presence, remembering what He has done for you. Praise Him. Thank Him. Invite Him into the lonely, empty, bored, frightened, cynical places in your life if you have them (and we ALL do). Confess your sin. Ponder, change and reaffirm your belief system, your faith, your personal theology. Let His peace fill your life as you relax in the Everlasting Arms of a loving God.

    Keeping a journal is an excellent way to record your activities, thoughts, feelings, insights, prayers, hopes, disappointments, expectations and the like. Entries may be of any length, written in any style you may choose. You may wish to keep mementos of the season as part of your journal --- a holly leaf, mistletoe from a special moment, a program from a special service at your church, a treasured Christmas photo or greeting card. Let this be a place of expression of your feelings, your spiritual wishes and desires, your hopes and expectations, your reflections on the symbols of the season, etc. Grammar and spelling DON'T matter. What is important is that you genuinely and honestly record ALL your feelings --- joy and despair, hope and disappointment, connection and loneliness, doubt and faith, insight and the lack thereof, certainty and skepticism, sadness and joy...

    No one else need see the contents of your journal unless you invite them to share it with you. It is NOT a test of writing ability. It will tell you a lot about who you are in your heart of hearts. It will show you what you value, what you find frustrating, what you deem unacceptable, what makes you laugh, what makes you cry. You will discover whom you are and whom you may become, as well as to WHOM you belong. Scripture tells us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. Let your journal be your confessional.

    Why write? You may or may not realize the value of writing, but journaling is a part of many therapy programs, self-help groups, etc. Dr. Gabrielle Rico, Ph.D., is a professor of English and Creative Arts at San Jose State University. She has written two wonderful books about the value of writing, the creative process, and writing as a means of healing and self-impowerment. I commend both of her books to you for further reading.

    She writes in Pain and Possibility : Writing your Way Through Personal Crisis, "Writing gives shape and form to your feelings for exploration, and the emerging patterns in your writing lead to gradual insights, occasional life-changing epiphanies, but mostly to a wary grace."

    On the subject of "what to write", she says, "Trust your natural inner voice, and it will find its way into the --- feelings of your consciousness."

    Writing is one way of "connecting" , and all of us hunger for connection with others and with God. Try writing. Extend the habit beyond the holidays. You'll be amazed at what you learn about yourself and others in the process. View the time you spend writing, whether moments or hours, as an exercise in strengthening spiritual awareness and self-discipline.

    II - ADVENT CALENDARS - Advent calendars are another way of marking the passage of the days between December 1st and December 25th. They are beloved by adults and children alike. The opening of a little window for each day helps keep the focus on the "reason for the season". The development of a bit of a ritual surrounding the moment of opening the window each day can provide a moment out of a busy day in which each family member can do as scripture directs in the passage from Psalms (46:10).

    Advent calendars are available for purchase in bookstores, gift shops, card shops, department stores, and mail order, to name only a few sources. There are many formats, all of them designed to have one window or door or box opened each day in sequence. Sometimes little pictures of the symbols of the Christmas season are revealed. Some are three-dimensional and have gifts, candy, ornaments, etc., hidden behind the doors. Almost always, opening the door for Christmas Eve reveals some depiction, gift or ornament in which the central figure is the Christ Child in the manger. Make the opening of the day's door a part of your personal celebration of the Advent portion of the Seasons of Christmas.

    III - THE ADVENT WREATH - An Advent Wreath need not be elaborate, expensive or complicated to construct in order to be useful and quite meaningful. Advent wreaths can be purchased from Christian bookstores, through Mail Order from places like Abbey Press and Current, Inc., or assembled at home with simple materials (my favorite!).

    Your wreath should have evergreens (fresh or silk) and five candles. One candle should be white and placed above the other four in the arrangement (center is the usual placement). This candle represents Christ and is lighted on Christmas Day. The white stands for the purity of Christ, the Light of the World. The remaining four candles have traditionally been purple, the color connoting royalty, while in contemporary practice blue, symbolic of penitence, is being used more and more and has become quite popular. (Blue is used in Jewish families around Hanukkah, which coincides with our Christmas celebration, to symbolize penitence and obedience and deliverance.)

    A pink, or rose-colored, candle is often included for use on the third Sunday of Advent. This is used both to remind us of the Second Coming of Christ, and to provide a "break" in the somberness of Advent. In the early church, Advent, like Lent, was a more somber and introspective season of reflection and self-examination. It was marked by long periods of fasting to promote spiritual self-discipline. A brief period of "relief" was provided at the mid-point of the season and a pink candle was chosen to represent this period and to symbolize Christ's passion.

    Five votive candles in holders are safest when using live greens and can be replaced easily when they burn down. Many votive candles will burn for 15 hours without replacement, and are quite inexpensive (I have seen some two-inch diameter votives at Kroger for $.99 each. I'm not sure, however, if there were any purple ones!) Another option is to bore five candle holes in a thick, round board, decorating between the candles with holly and fir or other evergreens. I often try to use the large "pillar" style candles (available at Cokesbury while supplies last --- purple gets hard to find the later in the season it gets) because I like to light the candles on my wreath everyday rather than only on Sundays.

    A personal worship center can be developed with the Advent Wreath occupying a central location, surrounded, perhaps, by the figures of a nativity set with an EMPTY manger, with the Christ Child and the Christ Candle added on Christmas morning. It can, in fact, be quite meaningful, especially with children participating, to begin the Advent Season with only the wreath and the empty stable. Figures are added all during the days of Advent --- first the stable animals, followed by the Shepherds, then Mary and Joseph and the donkey, then the Holy Child, then the angels and finally the camels and the Wise Men. The sense of anticipation builds and the celebration culminates either on Christmas Day or around Epiphany (preferable).

    The first candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent and daily in the following week. Scriptures are read, hymns may be sung, a devotional or meditation read, and a prayer offered.

    The second candle, along with the first, is lit on the second Sunday and succeeding days in the following week, as are the third and fourth candles in due course. The Christ Candle is added on Christmas Day.

    The use of any or all of these "tools" can greatly enhance your holiday season and bring you more JOY than you know exactly what to do with. Try one or more and watch what happens. I commend journaling, especially, to you if you desire to get to know yourself more fully.