Throughout the centuries, Christians have observed a time of waiting and expectation before celebrating the birth of the Savior at Christmas.  The time before Christmas called Advent, which means “Coming”  is a time for reflection and preparation.  It proclaims the revelation of God’s love as expressed in Christ’s birth in a humble stable, His sacrificial death on the cross and His victorious resurrection!  Advent points to the hope of Christ’s coming again and makes innkeepers out of all of us, asking each of us to make room for the arrival of Christ The King.  Let us today, prepare him room, in our hearts, our lives and our homes as well as our churches!

One of the most striking features of Christmas is the use of evergreens in churches and homes.  In ancient times, evergreens were an emblem of peace, joy, and victory.  The early Christians placed them in their windows to indicate that Christ had entered the home.  Holly and ivy, along with pine, and fir are called evergreens because they never change color.  There are ever-green, ever-alive, even in the midst of winter.  They symbolize the unchanging nature of our God, and they remind us of the everlasting life that is ours through Christ Jesus.  In Christian thought and sentiment, holly became widely used in church celebrations.  Holly was considered as the burning bush, or a symbol of Mary whose being glows with the Holy Spirit.  The red berries represented the blood drops from the cruel thorns in the crown of Jesus.

In Isaiah 60:13 we find these words:  “The Glory of Lebanon shall come unto you, the fir tree, the pine tree. . .to beautify the place of your sanctuary.”  Our forefathers called the procuring of these evergreens, “Bringing home Christmas!”

Many Churches have a traditional Hanging of the Greens service after Thanksgiving to decorate their sanctuaries, bringing in a festive mood before the celebration of the birth of Christ on Christmas Eve.  The preparations may include a Christmas tree, the hanging of wreaths and greenery, the lighting of candles and placing of a nativity or Advent candles in the worship place.  Congregational singing and Christians reading selected portions of the Scriptures are all a part of this special time of the year.

Let us prepare our hearts for worship as we enter this blessed holiday season!