From Secular to Sacred

• From Santa to SaviorFrom Santa to Savior

• From Holiday to Holy DayFrom Holiday to Holy Day

• From Decoration to DevotionFrom Decoration to Devotion

• From Getting to GivingFrom Getting to Giving

From Decoration to Devotion

1 Peter 3:3-4Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Colossians 2:16-17Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

• SOME PEOPLE THINK CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ARE WORLDLY, BUT THEY CAN BE AN OBJECT LESSON ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS.

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Why do we use decorations that have had earlier non-Christian meaning?

Acts 17:22-29

Please turn in your Bible to this passage.

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Why do we use decorations that have had earlier non-Christian meaning?Evergreen Trees, WreathsEvergreen Trees, Wreaths

- Pagan groves inPagan groves in the Old Testament the Old Testament

- Germanic objectsGermanic objectsof worship andof worship andhuman sacrificehuman sacrifice

- Christian meaning:Christian meaning:Eternal life!Eternal life!

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Why do we use decorations that have had earlier non-Christian meaning? Evergreen Trees, WreathsEvergreen Trees, WreathsHollyHolly

- Chinese New YearChinese New Year- Roman SaturnaliaRoman Saturnalia- Druid protectionDruid protection- Christians remindedChristians reminded

of Jesus’ crown ofof Jesus’ crown ofthornsthorns

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Why do we use decorations that have had earlier non-Christian meaning? Evergreen Trees, WreathsEvergreen Trees, Wreaths HollyHollyMistletoe Mistletoe

-Tree parasite w/ healing-Tree parasite w/ healingpowers- Druids used forpowers- Druids used forprotectionprotection

-Norse myth about Balder’s-Norse myth about Balder’sresurrectionresurrection

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Why do we use decorations that have had earlier non-Christian meaning? Evergreen Trees, WreathsEvergreen Trees, Wreaths

HollyHollyMistletoe Mistletoe

-We love because He-We love because Hefirst loved us!first loved us!

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Why do we use decorations that have had earlier non-Christian meaning? Evergreen Trees, WreathsEvergreen Trees, Wreaths HollyHolly Mistletoe Mistletoe Light(s)Light(s)

- Sun gods - worshipSun gods - worshipduring Winter Solstice.during Winter Solstice.

- Jesus is God the SON .Jesus is God the SON .

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Why do we use decorations that have had earlier non-Christian meaning? Evergreen Trees, WreathsEvergreen Trees, Wreaths

HollyHolly

Mistletoe Mistletoe

Light(s)Light(s)Yule LogYule Log

- Germanic root “to turn” – Sun rises again- Germanic root “to turn” – Sun rises again

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Why do we use decorations that have had earlier non-Christian meaning? Evergreen Trees, WreathsEvergreen Trees, Wreaths

HollyHolly

Mistletoe Mistletoe

Light(s)Light(s)Yule LogYule Log

- The SON rises, and turns everything around.- The SON rises, and turns everything around.

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Which decorations have distinctive Christian meaning? Nativity SceneNativity Scene

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Which decorations have distinctive Christian meaning? Nativity SceneNativity Scene

StarStar

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Which decorations have distinctive Christian meaning? Nativity SceneNativity Scene

StarStar

Bells Bells

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Which decorations have distinctive Christian meaning? Nativity SceneNativity Scene

StarStar

Bells Bells

Candy CanesCandy Canes

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Which decorations have distinctive Christian meaning? Nativity SceneNativity Scene

StarStar

Bells Bells

Candy CanesCandy Canes

Christian Words (Love, Joy, Peace) and Christian Words (Love, Joy, Peace) and ScriptureScripture

Questions about the Decorations And Those Who Dislike Decorations

Which decorations have distinctive Christian meaning? Nativity SceneNativity Scene StarStar Bells Bells Candy CanesCandy Canes Christian Words (Love, Joy, Peace) and Christian Words (Love, Joy, Peace) and

ScriptureScriptureChristmas Music (Carols)Christmas Music (Carols)

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What do the decorations mean to us? Lights – Jesus is the Light

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What do the decorations mean to us? Lights – Jesus is the Light

Evergreens – Eternal Life

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What do the decorations mean to us? Lights – Jesus is the Light

Evergreens – Eternal Life Colors

Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What do the decorations mean to us? Lights – Jesus is the Light

Evergreens – Eternal Life Colors

Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9

Romans 5:9

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What do the decorations mean to us? Lights – Jesus is the Light

Evergreens – Eternal Life Colors

Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9White – Forgiveness – Isaiah 1:18White – Forgiveness – Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, let us reason together,"says the LORD.

"Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool. “

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What do the decorations mean to us? Lights – Jesus is the Light

Evergreens – Eternal Life Colors

Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9White – Forgiveness – Isaiah 1:18White – Forgiveness – Isaiah 1:18Blue - HeavenBlue - Heaven

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What do the decorations mean to us? Lights – Jesus is the Light

Evergreens – Eternal Life Colors

Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9White – Forgiveness – Isaiah 1:18White – Forgiveness – Isaiah 1:18Blue - HeavenBlue - HeavenGold – Christ’s DeityGold – Christ’s Deity

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What do the decorations mean to us? Lights – Jesus is the Light

Evergreens – Eternal Life Colors

Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Green – Eternal Life – John 3:16Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9Red – Salvation by the blood of Christ – Romans 5:9White – Forgiveness – Isaiah 1:18White – Forgiveness – Isaiah 1:18Blue - HeavenBlue - HeavenGold – Christ’s DeityGold – Christ’s DeitySilver – Christ’s Perfect HumanitySilver – Christ’s Perfect Humanity

Questions about the Decorator And Those Who Like Decorations

What is the motivation for having decorations? To impress other people? To make other people happy? To point other people to Christ?

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Corinthians 5:20

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Isaiah 7:14

Born of a VirginTherefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

What Should We Do?

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