The Christmas season is a favorite of mine.
There are so many beautiful things about it.
lights
special foods
gift giving
beautiful music
decorations
family
When my children were younger and I became a Christian, I was determined that they would not just think of Christmas as a big gift getting day
but remember the greatest gift that was ever given to humankind….
Jesus.
So, I began the tradition of having a birthday cake on Christmas morning. We all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.
It was something they could easily understand.
We also talked about why we give gifts to each other on that day
(as a symbolic remembrance of the gifts of the kings)
and what gifts we should be giving to Jesus…..
manifesting the fruits of the spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
These days, on Christmas morning,
when we go to my youngest daughter’s home
to watch our grandsons open their gifts,
she has a birthday cake ready so we can sing Happy Birthday.
So, the tradition continues.
This year I felt led to make a special Christmas ornament
which would remind us of the reason we celebrate Christmas at all.
I was inspired by some small chipboard crowns I spotted one day.
Almost immediately, I was able to visualize what I wanted to do.
Here is the end result:
This ornament is very symbolic
I’ll give you the verse reference as I go along.
Of course, the most prominent piece is the crown….as it should be.
God, the blessed and only Ruler,
the King of kings
and Lord of lords,
the King of kings
and Lord of lords,
I began with a piece of rough cloth….burlap…
to symbolize the humble stable birth of Christ.
I bleached it….
to symbolize the humble stable birth of Christ.
I bleached it….
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7
On a strip of linen cloth is written
“gloria in excelsis deo”
which means Glory in the Highest.
The angels sang this on the night of
His birth
which means Glory in the Highest.
The angels sang this on the night of
His birth
Not only does the linen cloth symbolize His birth
but also His death
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:4-7
40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
John 19:40
Small bits of grapevine are secured with red floss.
….and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.
Matthew 27:28-30
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:27-28
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
When I pulled threads on the burlap to make a straight grain cutting line, I saved the pieces and braided three together for the hanging loop
to symbolize the Holy Trinity…
to symbolize the Holy Trinity…
Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
The hanging loop is sandwiched between
the burlap and a square of cardstock.
Both the burlap and the cardstock are 4 1/2 in
(excluding the fringed area)
On the back, I have included the symbolic meaning
of the ornament
It’s important to me to remember the reason we celebrate this wonderful holiday!
Blessings to your families!
I'm Lorraine. I have a love for home & design and I enjoy sharing that passion with others. I'm so glad you're here to join me.
email: missflibbertigibbet@gmail.com
Hi there, I came across your blog which is linked to Atelier de Campagne, and I’m so glad I did…thank you for sharing with us.
What a great tradition. Jesus is the reason for the season.
This is the perfect ornament! I love it.
Thanks to all and a Blessed CHRISTmas
Hello,
I was wondering where you got the supplies to make this ornament? Our church is wanting to use it this Christmas as a family activity to due leading up to Christmas.
Matt Murray
Student Pastor
Fredonia Hill Baptist Church