The Christmas Wreath

As I listened to music and pranced around my decorations, my eyes focused on the Christmas wreath hanging on the center of my front door. Despite the many colorful and decorated wreaths available today, I still prefer the traditional green wreath with the red ribbon and red bow. Why?  Because it reminds me of the real gift of Christmas given to us many years ago. What gift? The gift of salvation…the gift of eternal life.

Four things about the Christmas wreath point to this precious gift. The circular shape of the wreath mimics the circular crown of thorns that rested on Jesus’ head as He faced His crucifixion. The thorns represented all of our sins which He carried to the cross.

The red ribbon and bow on the wreath represent the blood that took away our sins. The thorns on Jesus’ crown produced blood when the soldiers pressed it deep into His forehead to mock Him as king. The red blood trickled down on the crown and His face. The blood that took away our sins.

The color green of the wreath represents new life and growth. Jesus bore our sins on the cross and shed His blood to give us the gift of new life…eternal life with Him. With this new life, we can grow in the knowledge and image of Jesus Christ and become all that He created us to be.

The door on which my wreath hangs also reminds me of the salvation granted to God’s people. But it was more about what was placed on the door. God gave Moses instructions for the Passover to provide salvation for the Israelites from the tenth plague of death to all the first-born in the land of Egypt. Moses instructed the people to take some of the blood of the Passover lamb and put it on the doorposts and lintels of the houses. When the death angel came through and saw the blood, he passed over them and their household was saved. The door, lined with blood allowed access, an opening to eternal life.

So my traditional green wreath with red ribbons and bows flowing over it, hanging on my door, remind me of the greatest gift of all…salvation. Jesus’ blood brought new life, new growth and opened up access to the Father.

I don’t know about you, but as I gaze upon my Christmas wreath, I rejoice and celebrate all the beauty in the wreath that point to that precious gift. Why? Simply…

I hope as you enjoy the Christmas Season with your family and friends, you also are reminded of the gift. From our home to yours, we wish you a very Joyous Christmas and Prosperous New Year!