Our Relief Society sisters began this year with a Carlson Farm Ward theme for 2018: “I Will Choose Him Again”. Each month we have explored how best we can
emulate the Savior through joy, love, radiating His light, extending
forgiveness, and the other several topics we touched on throughout the ensuing months.
Then,
as a conclusion to this year’s challenge to “Choose Him Again”, the ward Relief
Society chose for a December theme simply “Choose
Christ”.
I
was thinking about that theme while I was sitting in Primary Sharing Time last
Sunday. (Happily, I am still the ward Primary president!) When it was Singing Time, the song leader cleverly
introduced the songs for the month by talking about the symbols of Christmas
which are each representative about some aspect of Christ. Those symbols were hidden around the room in Christmas
gift bags which the kids took turns finding. It was fun watching them gleefully
participate in this treasure hunt as the activity unfolded.
The
song leader started with a small tree and while she was taking it out of the
bag explained that Christmas trees are Evergreen trees. Not only do they symbolize the “living”
Christ because they are always green and alive, but the branches of an Evergreen tree all
point upward to heaven.
Next
was the star which gave direction to the shepherds and the Wise Men who came
seeking him. That star also guides us to Him.
Then
she placed a string of lights on the tree.
The kids had no trouble recognizing that the lights also represent the
“light of Christ”.
She
told them red is the first color of Christmas.
It represents the blood which Christ our Savior shed for us to redeem us
from our sins.
As
she put presents under the tree, she reminded them that Christ was God’s gift
to the world for our redemption. And…presents
significantly typify the gifts the Wise Men brought to the Christ child.
When
she held up a small poinsettia bloom, the kids correlated that poinsettias are also
star-shaped. There are two colors: red
typifying the first color of Christmas and white for Christ’s purity.
Candy
canes have a special meaning, too. The
crook at the top is a reminder that Christ is the Good Shepherd who watches
over all of us, bringing the one back to the fold if any stray.
Holly
came next. It is important because the
red berries and prickly green leaves last all year. The sharp edges of the holly leaf are a
reminder of the thorns placed on the Savior’s head before his crucifixion.
When
she pulled a wreath out of a colorful bag, she told the kids that a wreath’s
circular shape represents one eternal round. We are brothers and sisters in Christ's family for eternity!
And
last…she said bells symbolize the announcement of Christ’s birth, as their joyful peal reminds us of that remarkable news every time they ring.
While the song leader was having the kids share what they knew about these symbols of
Christmas, I thought about how the world is trying so very hard to take Christ
right out of Christmas!
There are
blatant substitutions. Winter
holiday. Forest animals. Specialized ornaments. ANYTHING but Christ. It is getting ever more difficult even to
find simple Nativity sets. And the big
department stores that could be counted on to have the really gorgeous—and
expensive—Nativity sets no longer carry them.
No one wants them.
But…in
spite of trying to take Christ out of Christmas—there He still is! Right before our very eyes as we decorate our
trees with stars, with lights, and bells, etc. and bustle about finding the
perfect present to give to our special people.
The stores are FULL of Christ!
Make
a mental note when you see these emblems that denote something important about
Christ’s birth, life, and death, that Christ is still in Christmas! Celebrate
this year with a glad heart for the message of hope and love that His birth, which
we celebrate each December 25th, promised so many years ago. His life simply cannot
be erased.
CHOOSE
CHRIST!
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
