Advent Devotional: Monday, December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 (Good News)

Illustrated by Elizabeth Martin (Age 8)

I shared this story with the children of my previous Presbyterian church in Florida, and I’d like to now share it with you.

“Christmas traditions go back hundreds of years. A tradition is something that you always do, over and over, like candles on a birthday cake, staying up until midnight on New Year’s Eve, and eating turkey on Thanksgiving. But at Christmas time there can be many, many traditions from a Christmas tree to stockings on the fireplace mantle, a wreath on your door, and colorful lights.

At our home we have a few different traditions. On Christmas Eve at sundown, we light a bayberry candle which is to bring good fortune to the home for the upcoming year, but only if the candle burns out by itself.

Of course, our tree is decorated with many ornaments, and most have a special story. But there is one ornament in particular on our tree that may seem odd, a baby rattle which belonged to me. Before I was born my mother placed a baby’s rattle on their Christmas tree. This was how she let all of our friends and relatives know that my mother and father were going to have a baby, me! That same rattle is hung on our tree every year, even 75 years later.

Do you hang candy canes on your tree? How or where did that tradition start? Well, a long time ago a candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a symbol for Christmas that would remind him about the true meaning of Christmas. He started with a white candy, symbolizing the purity of Jesus. He made it a hard candy for the solid foundation of the promises of God. He then shaped it like a “J” for Jesus and a shepherd’s crook. Three thin red stripes were added signifying the punishment Jesus received on his way to the cross (whipped, poked, and the crown of thorns placed on his head). Lastly, he added a larger red stripe for the blood shed by Jesus, so that we may have eternal life.”

Keep the love alive by continuing your special traditions.

Heavenly Father, as the day draws closer to the day of celebration, we give thanks for the simple traditions, reminders of love and peace. Amen