Symbols | Wreath

WREATH

• Round: no beginning or end
• To remind us of the crown of thorns
• Evergreen: symbol of Christ’s triumph over death

NO BEGINNING OR END IN JESUS

• Revelation 22:7, 12-13 (NLT) | ⁷ “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” … ¹² “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

SALVATION IS EVERLASTING

• Psalm 103:12 (NLT) | He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

WAIT WITH HOPE

• Romans 8:24-25 (NLT) | ²⁴ We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. ²⁵ But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Reflection Questions

1. Which Christmas symbols evoke the most emotion for you?
2. Pastor Mark shared three reasons the wreath is symbolic this time of year. Is there one that surprises you? Is there one that helps you see Christmas differently?
3. There is no beginning or end in Jesus. How do you square this with the physical life and death of Jesus who was born in Bethlehem and executed in Jerusalem?
4. What does it mean for you that your salvation is eternal in Jesus even though you still might suffer from, or struggle with, sin?
5. How will you wait for Christ this Christmas differently?