The Meaning Behind the Wreath
One of the most common and beautiful symbols of the Christmas season is the wreath. If you’re like me, you probably haven't thought much about its meaning, but it beautifully points to the everlasting nature of Christ.
A typical Christmas wreath consists of two main parts that carry profound symbolic meaning:
Evergreen branches: These come from pine, fir, or cedar trees, which remain green and alive even in winter. They symbolize everlasting life and victory over death.
The circular shape: The circle has no beginning and no end. It symbolizes eternity and the unending nature of God's love and covenant.
The wreath, therefore, is a quiet but powerful statement about Christ. He is the one who brings us everlasting life (the evergreen) through His eternal, never-ending love (the circle).
When Jesus was born, He entered time, but He was not of time. He was, and is, eternal. The Apostle Paul speaks of the gift Christ gives us in Romans 6:23 (KJV): "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The evergreen reminds us that Christ conquered the death that is the natural wage of our sin, offering us the gift of life that never fades or wilts. The circle reminds us that this life isn't temporary; it's eternal, connected to the everlasting nature of our God.
Think about the things in your life that are temporary: the holiday rush, the fleeting joy of a material gift, the temporary sadness of a lost plan. These things will fade away like dry, dead leaves.
But the gift of Christ is an evergreen promise wrapped in an eternal circle. It never dies, never ends, and never fades in its power or love.
Today, let the wreath be a quiet sermon on your door. Let it remind you that because of the baby in the manger, we who are saved have life that is victorious over death, secured by a love that is everlasting. Rest in the comfort of His eternal presence today.