CAROL'S GEMS: MAY—THE EMERALD

Every month has a birthstone. The birthstone for the month of May is the emerald. And it reminds me of Jesus.

The gorgeous green emerald symbolizes rebirth, reminding us of Jesus’ resurrection as well as our rebirth into God’s family when we come to Christ.

Several healing properties have been mythically associated with the emerald. The one that makes me smile is that gazing upon an emerald soothes the eyes. Well, of course it does. It’s just that beautiful. As is our Lord when we gaze upon Him.

Ancient Greeks and Romans, associated emeralds with Aphrodite/Venus—their goddess of love. Our Heavenly Father—the one true God of love—proved His love by the physical act of becoming human and dying for our sake. In Christian symbolism then, the emerald stands for rebirth in Christ, faith and hope and love.

So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Sort of makes you want to go find an emerald and gaze upon its beauty, doesn’t it?

Happy birthday to everyone born in the month of May.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the extravagant beauty you have spread throughout this world. Thank you for even hiding bits of your glory underneath the surface of the world for us to find and enjoy. Thank you that everything in the universe provides us with an opportunity to thank you and exclaim your glory. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? This is the final post in the Carol’s Gems series. Have you followed the monthly birthstone blogs? Which birthstone most reminds you of Jesus?

CAROL’S GEMS: APRIL BIRTHSTONE—THE DIAMOND

Every month has a birthstone. The birthstone for April is the diamond. And it reminds me of Jesus.

Have you ever seen a diamond in the rough? It’s not so thrilling. It resembles simple quartz—often dull and full of spots.

Sort of like us, before Jesus takes hold of our hearts and cleans us up from the inside out.

The diamond represents faithfulness, love, and purity, which is why the stone is traditionally used in engagement and wedding rings. But in gemstone symbolism, the diamond also symbolizes eternity. As does Jesus.

When shopping for diamonds, buyers are cautioned to always look for the “four Cs.” Those are color, clarity, carat, and cut. By focusing on the four Cs, a buyer can be assured of getting the best quality in this precious stone.

But as Christians, we too have the 4 Cs. They are the cross, Calvary, covenant, and command. And they are more precious than the most precious diamond.

The diamond is also the stone that represents a monarch’s sixtieth anniversary. Remember, Queen Elizabeth’s “Diamond Jubilee” last year? It celebrated her reign as Queen of England for the past 60 years.  There’s a bit of confusion relating to diamonds though, since they represent 60 years for royalty and 75 years for everybody else.

Tomorrow, I turn 60. Fortunately, as an adopted daughter of the King of the Universe, that means I’m royalty. It also means it’s my diamond jubilee. I don’t have to wait until I’m 75.

Then again, every day lived under God’s reign is a jubilee!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for adopting us into your family. Thank you for making us royalty in your sight. Thank you that every day lived in your love is a jubilee! Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you know any diamonds in the rough who need some polishing? Is there anyone in your life who sparkles with Jesus’ love?

CAROL'S GEMS: MARCH AQUAMARINE

Every month has a birthstone. The birthstone for the month of March is aquamarine. And it reminds me of Jesus.

The word aquamarine means “water of the sea.” Genesis tells us that in the beginning, the Spirit of God hovered over the water. Later, Jesus became the living water. Water itself—in the Christian practice of symbolically proclaiming our faith through baptism by water—points us toward Jesus. All of us need water to live. We need living water for eternal life.

The aquamarine gemstone is believed to enhance divine communication and help us connect with heaven. Spiritual metaphysics notwithstanding, gazing at the cool, clear blue of aquamarine gives a person a sense of well-being. Spending time with God does so even better.

A secondary birthstone for March is the bloodstone. It is a dark green jasper with bright red spots, caused by iron oxide. Legend tells that this stone was created when Christ’s blood dropped onto green jasper at the foot of the cross.

Happy birthday to everyone born in March.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the beauty of this world and the reminders of you and your glory that are all around us. Please remind us that you have gifted us with prayer for divine communication and that through your blood—our living water, we are washed clean. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Know anyone who needs an aquamarine gemstone?

CAROL'S GEMS: TOPAZ AND CITRINE--HARVESTING SUNSHINE

Every month has a birthstone. The birthstones for the month of November are yellow topaz:



 

and citrine:



And they both remind me of Jesus.

 

 

A Gift From The Sun

 

Both of these golden gemstones are the color of sunshine. Yellow topaz is naturally occurring; yet rare. Golden citrine—quartz—is also rare in its natural state. Most commercial citrine today started out as purple quartz (amethyst) or smoky quartz and was turned golden by applying heat.

 

Ancient Egyptians believed that natural yellow topaz got its color literally from the sun; or rather from the rays of the sun god, Ra. Romans similarly affiliated topaz with Jupiter—who was the Roman god of the sun.

 

Ecclesiastes tells us though that there is nothing new under the sun. In other words, there is nothing new down here on earth. Above the sun, in heaven, is another story because above the sun—as well as in our hearts—is where Jesus resides. Jesus is not the sun god. He is the Son of God.

　

Symbolism

 

Topaz is a symbol of wisdom, friendship, love, honesty, faithfulness, tenderness and purity. Sound anything like the fruit of the Spirit?

 

Citrine is said to bring the wearer health, hope, energy and warmth. In ancient times, citrine was worn as protection against snakes and evil thoughts. Instead of pasting together a dozen fig leaves, Adam and Eve should have encased themselves in citrine!

A gift of citrine is symbolic of hope and strength. Jesus is our only hope of heaven and our sure strength for all trials.

　

Harvest

 

More than any other birthstone, yellow topaz and citrine represent their month—at least for the Northern Hemisphere. Both gemstones are the color of harvest—the color of leaves after the first frost-cold night; of persimmon cookies, pumpkin pie and butternut squash. Both stones capture the warm glow of autumn and bring sunshine to the first days of the long winter to come.

 

As a reminder of harvest, yellow topaz and citrine point to the eternal harvest Jesus will begin when he returns. That harvest of souls. The one you and I are so eager to be part of.

 

Happy birthday to everyone born in November.

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for seasons. Thank you for the reminder of the warmth of summer and the coolness of autumn. Thank you for harvest time on earth that reminds us that those of us who call upon your name are assured of the eternal harvest to come. Amen.

 

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Do you own any yellow topaz or citrine? Want some?