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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

THE COLORS OF CHRISTMAS

Today’s post is part of the Christian Writer’s blog chain. Our theme for December is "Christmas Sense: the Five Senses." Please click on the links in the right column and see what my friends have to say about our theme.



 
When I was nine, Mom took me to the famous Podesta Baldocci florist in San Francisco. Each year in December, the florist shop created dazzling, fantasy Christmas trees and put them on display for lucky people like us to linger near, joyfully investigating the minutely amazing decorations that sprinkled and sparkled amidst the evergreen limbs.

That year, I saw a Victorian-themed Christmas tree, decked in white and pink. I had never seen anything more beautiful.

Since then I’ve had the chance to create my own memorable Christmas trees. And although I’ve never forgotten that beautiful pink and white tree at Podesta Baldocci, I’ve never created one for myself.

Because as beautiful as a pink and white tree is, nothing says Christmas like red and green.

  • RED—the color of Christ’s blood, shed for us, made possible by his becoming human for our sake.

  • GREEN—the color that represents fresh, new life in nature and thus reminds us of the new life we have in Christ.

Both of which became a reality at Jesus’ birth.

We humans love silver and gold tinsel. We love multi-colored twinkle lights outlining our roofs. And some of us even love pink and white Victorian decorations.

But, nothing can say Christmas like red and green. Because they remind us of Jesus.

PRAYER: Thank you God for color. We are so grateful for the enormous beauty you filled this world with. You have put color everywhere to delight our senses and remind us of you. Help us always be mindful of your glory whenever we see the colors of Christmas. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you go with a theme when you decorate for Christmas?

15 comments:

chris said...

My theme is just eclectic, but includes red, green and some silver and gold. Now I'll be hearing Burl Ives all day singing that tune :-)

From Carols Quill said...

@ Chris - silver and gold...mean so much more when I see silver and gold decorations on every Christmas tree. OK, so now I'll be singing Burl Ives all day, too.

It's a good thing.

chris said...

OK, well I had to stop back by here Carol as I stumbled across more "silver and gold" this morning...

"Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than SILVER
and yields better returns than GOLD.
She is more precious than rubies,
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace." Proverbs 3: 13-17

From Carols Quill said...

Thanks, Chris. And did you notice - the silver and gold are compared with rubies which are red. I love that verse.

Jack Brown said...

green holly with red berries i reckon
of course all the colours together make white the colour of Blood washed robes.
biiiiig Christmas hug sister

From Carols Quill said...

@ Jack - excellent point!

Deborah K. Anderson said...

I had never looked at it this way before, Carol. And I don't think I'll look at these colors the same way again, which is a good thing. Wonderful post.

From Carols Quill said...

Thanks Deborah - glad the thought will stick with you.

Bill Jones said...

Thanks Carol - great "sense" of sight post. And thanks for all the comments that point out other colors to consider.

lynnmosher said...

I l-o-v-e red and green for Christmas. Very traditional. I also add white and a little gold. No theme except for plaid which also contains a little blue. Tree sports all kinds of accoutrements: ornaments the kids or I have made, snowflake, angels, candy canes, shiny glass balls, candles, baby's breath. LOL You name it! It's probably on Tree! Loved your post!

Tracy Krauss said...

I love themed Christmas trees, although we always go with the 'old' sentimental decorations for our own tree.

Pam B. said...

My hearth is done in a snowman theme. I usually buy snowman themed wrapping paper. I tend to stay away from anything Santa. I now especially love red and green because they remind me of Jesus.

From Carols Quill said...

@ Bill and Tracy - thanks for the encouraging comments.

@ Lynn - Would love to see your tree!

@ Pam - I never knew you loved snowmen. Snowmen remind me of Jesus. Like us after Jesus gets ahold of us -- snowmen are "white as snow." heh-heh

KeriMae said...

I've never really thought about the colors before. We use a lot of red and white, but our real 12 1/2 foot tree (!) is green. Loved Jack's comment!

From Carols Quill said...

@ Keri Mae - 12-1/2 foot tree? Wow! That'd be something to see--and a whole lot to decorate.