It is the end of another year, Christmas is around the corner, almost here , and festivities have begun with great expectations. The windows and doors, decked in red, gold, and green, the favourite colours of the festive season. Christmas wreaths in evergreen, red poinsettias and the bright stars, announce the coming joyful day .
The colours are symbolic, red for the blood of the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for our sins, a sacrifice for our Salvation, the Christmas wreaths, berries and pine cones, symbolic of the crown of agony, the ever green colour, for everlasting life, for eternity, the gold for hope ,abundance and peace, symbolic of the Wise Men, who came bearing rich gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense.
As we decorate our homes for the joyful season, in the colours of Christmas, as we share presents, wrap them lovingly in red, gold and green, to place under the tall evergreen tree, we seldom spare a thought for the greatest gift of all, one that comes not wrapped or tied with a bow, but one that stems from the ever flowing fountain of God’s grace, His gift of Salvation for the fallen race of mankind, a gift that is enveloped in His immeasurable love, for all who seek Him.
When little children wait for Santa’s sleigh, for the miracle of Christmas to unfold, when young adults and the elderly, plunge into the month long revelry that marks the season of joy, and when we dress inadvertently in the colours of Christmas, red, gold, and green, do we stop to think, that Christmas is about the greatest sacrifice of all, that Christmas is the time when God sent His only Son, to lay down His life, to redeem man from sin, a free gift of Salvation, for all who accept Him.
As I ruminate on this profundity, my eyes fall on a couple of simple packages, wrapped in white. The bags are made of refined cotton, looking white as snow, and yet on closer inspection, it fell far short of being pure white. Though bleached, the small blemishes and spots were visible, a lot left wanting, as it is in its nature. But there was a red bow, a bright red ribbon that saved it, for in its perfect contrast, the red bow turned the bag to a brilliant white, detracting from its flaws .
It that instant it dawned on me, so it is with our Salvation! For none is sinless or worthy however righteous, however refined by the law and good works, to stand before the Holy God, unless washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and saved by His grace. For it is the reflection of the Son’s untainted purity, that the Father sees in each one of us, when we wear His robe of Salvation. Let us then be mindful, to hold on tight to the robe of Salvation, lest it slip to reveal our blemishes, and condemn us to eternal damnation !
Mary Jacob 