On 29 Nov 2000, 9:12, Debbie Adams wrote:
> I've sent the sources on to my friend who has found most of them
> on her own and this isn't quite what she's looking for. Anyone
> else?
cite: http://www.waterloonorthmc.org/Reflectionsv2no1.html
Decorating a Christian Christmas Tree
Christmas time for most of us includes a tree. You can set a Christian
mood for the celebration by decorating it thoughtfully.
* First, your tree should be an evergreen symbolizing a life that never
dies.
* Second, the tree should have a star on top reminding us of the star
which guided the Wise Men to Bethlehem.
* Third, the tree should have a boat, hanging somewhere. The church has
been symbolized from earliest days as a boat (nave), for it is a boat
which helps us sail through all the storms of life.
* Then, fourth, there should be a fish hanging from the boughs for ever
since Jesus said, "I will make you fishers of men", the fish has been a
symbol of the church. In the early days of persecution the fish was
used as a secret password and people displayed it on their doors to let
others know it was a Christian house.
* Fifth, the Holy Spirit has as its symbol a bird, reminding us of the
dove that came at the baptism of Jesus. So the Christian tree should
have some little birds just as every Christian life needs the strength
and courage that the Holy Spirit brings.
* Sixth, every tree should have an angel or lots of them! It was the
song of the angels that awoke the shepherds, announcing the nativity of
our Lord.
* Seventh, there should be balls, preferably in two sizes, for the big
balls symbolize the nations of the earth and the small balls remind us
of the many different kinds of people who inhabit the world. Balls of
different colours remind us of the many races�all equally beautiful and
created by the same God.
* An eighth image can be a paper chain with glue and coloured paper,
for the old-fashioned paper-chain reminds us that we are all linked
together � nations and people. We are bound together by God�s love.
* Ninth, there should be lights, symbolizing not only that light which
has come into the world to redeem the world, but also the light of God
reflected in all His creation. The varying colours remind us that
beauty is sometimes enhanced by variety and that all people can reflect
God�s love.
� Submitted by Barbera Lehto
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Alan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
