The Colors of Christmas

The rich and festive hues of traditional Christmas decorations—-the reds, greens, golds and silvers—-run deep in our culture. Who wants Christmas in black and white? A closer look at the familiar Yuletide colors coaxes a beautiful story into the open, making the season even more meaningful. Moreover, the Bible dedicates much print to the meaning of colors. They signify spiritual concepts in a non-verbal way that brings an emotional response to the words and doctrines of God’s word.

Red: Red reflects our warmth and love for God, the world and each other. It is the color that we consider the most exciting. As a religious symbol it stands for fire, blood, and charity. We can envision the fire of Pentecost by seeing the color of red. We can commemorate the shed blood of Christ which atones for our sins in using red. We can exult in the expression of divine love that brought about salvation when we weave red into our décor. The holly berries and poinsettias are two winter plants traditionally used as Christmas decorations.

Green: The color green depicts hope and speaks of the eternal longing for spring and all the promises of the future. In green, we see nature, youth, and the hope of eternal life. For this reason, Christmas is a feast of hope, featuring a newborn child as its central symbol. No motif embodies the source of life any more than the incarnation of God in Christ Jesus. The breath of life filled the earth when Mary’s baby began to cry. In particular, we celebrate the new birth experience in Christmas, as well as the birth of Christ. Holly, pine trees, ivy, mistletoe are all plants closely associated with the life of Christmas.

White: White means purity and is represented by the crystalline form of water and the snowflake. White symbolizes light, purity, joy and glory. When Jesus entered the world, absolute perfection and sinlessness took on a human form. Pure love, pure truth and pure holiness are all seen in the white color of Christmas. White is seen in the robes of Christmas angels, as well as in Christmas snow and snow flakes.

Gold: The color gold is a warm color that can be bright and cheerful as well as somber and traditional. Because gold is a precious metal, we associate it with wealth and prosperity. Those familiar with the Bible recognize that gold symbolizes the deity of Christ. If fact, the offering of gold by the wise men strongly conveys the message that Jesus is more than the savior of the world, he is the very God who created the world.

Silver : As a color, silver is thought of in the cool range. Although it lacks the warmth of gold, it still signifies wealth. Silver has a greater practical usefulness than gold, and finds its way to fine tables in the form of silverware, bowls and flasks. Jesus made the riches of God’s grace accessible to us all when he came in the form of man to die for our sins. Silver is also the price of redemption, because Judas sold the savior for thirty pieces of silver.

Blue : Color experts tell us that a blue or azure conveys richness and may intimate superiority. The craftsmen who built and furnished the tabernacle used the color blue extensively in the curtains, veils and tablecloths. They also wove blue loops and lace into the special garments of the priests. Blue is the background for the angelic choir and the star of Bethlehem . The color of the sky and of the seas, blue suggests the eternal nature and the omnipotence of God. There is only one naturally occurring blue food: blueberries, even as there is only one who personifies God in this world, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lavish use of color put liveliness and excitement into the celebration of our savior’s birth. God is not drab; he loves color. The covenant rainbow, Joseph’s coat and the panoply of colors that carpets the earth provides all the evidence we need to make the case. Every color we use puts some aspect of God’s nature, glory and grace on display for the world. “For in him dwelleth all the fullness…” (Some color meanings adapted from www.about.com)

This Christmastime

This Christmastime, I find it fascinating that…the One we love the most brings us closer to the ones we love the most; the One we exalt the highest lifts us up the highest; the One to whom we surrender our lives makes our lives worth living; the One who asks everything of us gives us everything in abundance; the One who left his place in glory to take our place on earth returned to heaven to make a place in glory for us.

Regardless of our circumstances, we all have reason to celebrate the incarnation of Child who was born and the Son who was given. Maybe the happenings of this year have denied happiness to you. Remember, happiness depends on happenings, but joy never looks to circumstances for permission to exist. Jesus is still the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.

Our relationship to God is not based on success in ministry, growth of the congregation, financial blessing, physical health, harmony in the family or the outcome of the year’s goals and objectives. It’s far more durable than any of those things. Even in the tough times, we can say “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:2-3.

The Jordan ’s: Mark, Sandy, Ross, René, Ryan and Megan, sincerely wish the very best of God’s blessings for you this year. We look forward to entering the new year together with you, expecting this to be an historic year. We love you.

The Jordan Family

Joy to the World

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way….”

From his triangular-shaped brownstone on Wellington Street in Covent Garden , now a coffee house with an inconspicuous plaque denoting its historical significance, Charles Dickens wrote this description of England and France in 1775 in his epic novel, Tale of Two Cities. Such could be the description of our present world, two hundred twenty-eight years later. The intervening time has witnessed the likes of Napoleon, the Civil War, two world wars, the holocaust, the atomic bomb and the rise of terrorism. Despite these harsh lessons, world peace, and its attendant joy, continues to elude today’s political power brokers.

Kings, Prime Ministers and Presidents falter in their quest for peace. Joy is not forthcoming from empires or nation builders. Neither scientists nor philosophers, neither generals nor diplomats, neither doctors nor teachers, neither magnates nor malcontents, neither inventors nor artists, have, taken together, produced more than a flickering candle of hope in the passing centuries, and any flame they have managed to ignite has soon been snuffed out by ensuing generations.

Joy’s eternal fountain springs forth from one source alone. Jesus is the joy of the redeemed. Keep your Jesus-joy from any encroaching darkness of sin; preserve it from the despair of sickness and disease; protect it from the cold winds of death; lift it up above the aggravations of daily life; insulate it against the soured relationships in families and friends; rescue it from the lethal fingers of bitterness and anger.

This Christmas, be joyful, regardless of your circumstances. You can, if you view all things from the perspective of yonder. Anchor your thoughts to your source, Jesus, and joy will flow uninterrupted from him to you. Joy will be its own reward.

Part of my joy comes from knowing and loving all of you. You make my life richer, more purposeful and sacred. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

Joy to the world, and great joy to your world!

The High Company of THANKSGIVING

Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Thanksgiving is placed in the middle of the terms of worship to God.

Worship expresses what we think about God.  You cannot worship without thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is the response to some act of God.

We say “please” in order to get it.  We say “thank you” when we receive it.

THANKSGIVING (Heb. toda, or yaddah; Gk. eucharistia). The term most in use is charis. Charis is the Greek word for grace.

Thanksgiving is the acknowledgement that grace has happened.

I got something I don’t deserve.  The grace of God in Christ, operating in the soul of the believer.  This grace goes back to Him in gratitude: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” <2 Cor. 9:15>.

Thanksgiving sees (recognizes) grace everytime it thinks about God.

It doesn’t see the obvious—-it sees the implicit, the subtle, the hidden.  Grace in His death, burial, resurrection.  Grace in faith, repentance, water baptism, Holy Ghost baptism.  Grace in healing, blessing, need supplying.  Grace in worship, singing, preaching, teaching.  Grace in every aspect of living for God.

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Thanksgiving sees grace in bad things that happen to us.

1Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

In the midst of the bad.  In spite of the bad.  Because of the bad.

Rev 7:12-17 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.  13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?  14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Who are the white-robed worshippers?

Great tribulation saints—-(Not necessarily THE great trib.)  The Tecklimarians, persecuted Christians, Russians, Chinese, Cubans, The sick who never complained.  The deprived who never coveted.  The victims of tragedy who never charged God.  The wounded who never got bitter.

These all recognize the greater grace they have received to go through their greater trial.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  To give thanksgiving is to join in worship with Blessing, and glory, and wisdom… and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Give Thanks Unto God

Give thanks for living for God in a world of sinful people.

2 Sam 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

Give thanks that God is not evil or vengeful.

1 Chr 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Give thanks for deliverance from the clutches of evil people.

1 Chr 16:35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

Give thanks for a new building for God.

Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Give thanks for keeping you in the land of the living.

Ps 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Give thanks for the knowledge of God’s holiness.

Ps 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Give thanks that we know how to pray and worship without inhibition.

Ps 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Give thanks for a church full of believers and worshippers.

Ps 35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

Give thanks for the knowledge of true praise.

Ps 106:47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.

Give thanks when you can’t sleep at night.

Ps 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Give thanks for divine wisdom.

Dan 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

Give thanks for your food.

Matt 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Give thanks for the opportunity to love your enemies.

Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

Give thanks for people who don’t pay you back.

Luke 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Give thanks for your healings.

Luke 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Give thanks for spiritual liberty.

Rom 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Give thanks for compassionate brothers and sisters in the church.

Rom 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Give thanks for the Holy Ghost.

2 Cor 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

1 Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Give thanks for all things.

Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Give thanks for the society in which you live.

1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Give thanks for the omnipotence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.