Symbols | Tree

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

John 1:1-5 (NLT) | ¹ In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He existed in the beginning with God. ³ God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. ⁴ The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

CHRISTMAS TREE

• Evergreen, like the wreath — Jesus is eternal
• Shaped like a triangle to invoke imagery of the Trinity
• Old German tradition had them upside-down as a way to show God pointing and coming to earth
• Martin Luther, who started the Protestant Reformation, had the idea of putting candles on them to show how the light shines in the darkness

GOD’S GIFT OF PEACE

Luke 2:14 (NLT) | “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Reflection Questions:

1. What is your favorite part of the Christmas tree?
2. Why are Christmas trees evergreen? What does that symbolize?
3. Why is the triangular shape of the tree significant? How does it strike you that Germans originally suspended the trees upside-down and from the ceiling?
4. What is the point of putting lights on our Christmas trees?
5. Ultimately, what is the message of the Christmas tree? How does it communicate God’s love and gift of peace to us?