Christmas Themes
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Christmas themes are fun to plan as families prepare for the holiday season with great anticipation of the celebration. Christmas decorating ideas are the center of focus as homes turn into holiday presentations full of warmth, the very thing memories are made of. Homes full of green and red ribbons and colorful holiday balls mark the coming of the day that is celebrated as Christ's birth. Schools use holiday themes in their classrooms and seasonal decor can be seen throughout city streets and retail stores. But, before planning this year's parties and family gatherings, Christians might want to take the time to research some of the modern day traditions and their origins, finding every opportunity to celebrate the reason for the season in truth.
Holiday gatherings are often centered around traditions that have been in practice for hundreds of years, and the origins of these traditions are not well known by the Christian community. And, the Christmas decorating ideas that are birthed from holly and mistletoe have beginnings that pre-date Christ. Many Christmas themes are centered around the holiday tree, which has nothing to do with the birth of Christ. The decorating of an evergreen tree in the home began in Rome, where pagans would erect an evergreen on December 25th in celebration of the resurrection of their sun god, Nimrod. The evergreen was brought into the home and decorated with red berries and small gold and silver balls, all of which would symbolize the sun and therefore bring glory to their sun god just after the winter solstice.
Mistletoe, another popular holiday symbol was viewed as a sacred plant in European folklore. Mistletoe was believed to impart fertility and was used as an aphrodisiac. Celtic Druids, or priests, used Mistletoe in sacrifices while offering prayers for goodwill and fortune. Mistletoe has also been used in ancient cultures to keep away evil demonic spirits. Have you ever wondered what mistletoe had to do with the birth of Christ and why is is used with Christmas decorating ideas?
God commands that His people live as a holy people, set apart from the practices of the world. Since the time of Christ, for over two thousand years now, Christians have been trying to find ways to live within the world and yet, not be a part of it. Combining ancient rituals and Christian memorials has offered the opportunity for Christians to "Christianize" the celebrations that honored false gods and idols. While claiming all things under Christ's domain is a good and faithful practice; accepting practices that do not bring Him honor is not. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).
The prophet, Jeremiah also warned the people of Israel against participating in pagan rituals. "For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (Jeremiah 10:3-4) This season as Christians across the world plan Christmas themes for parties and plan to decorate homes, perhaps a simple investigation of scripture could reveal worshipful ways to honor Christ as King. For more information about the truth Christmas decorating ideas, visit the links above.
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