Category: The Lord Jesus

Christmas tree – Religious or not?

Photo by sergio souza on Pexels.com

Non-Christians claim that Christmas trees are a religious symbol of Christmas. Is a Christmas tree really a religious symbol of Christmas equal to a Nativity scene?

It depends on how religious symbol is defined. If it means anything to which religious significance can be attached, then yes, because many Christians have attached religious significance to the Christmas tree (e.g., the Tree of Life, both in Eden and on Calvary). But if a religious symbol of a holiday is considered a tangible object intrinsically attached to that holiday, and without which the holiday wouldn’t be the same, then no, because the celebration of Christmas does not require Christmas trees. Christmas trees are a decoration that Christians incorporated into their celebration of the holiday over the centuries. They did not become widespread in the English-speaking world until German relatives of the British royal family brought the custom to Great Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. Christians justified the custom on religious grounds by explaining that the evergreen tree can symbolize eternal life. Even today in many traditionally Catholic countries, far more emphasis is placed on the much older Christian custom of erecting Nativity scenes, a tradition attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). In short, although Christmas trees are a beloved custom in much of the English-speaking world, they are not necessary to the celebration of the holiday and are not nearly as symbolic of the holiday as the crèche. If it is agreed that a religious symbol should be understood to mean a tangible object intrinsically attached to that holiday, then Christmas trees are to Christmas what dreidels are to Hanukkah—a beloved custom but not a religious symbol.

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches

Your boughs so green in summertime
Stay bravely green in wintertime
O tannenbaum, o Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches

Let us all remember
In our gift giving and our merriment
With our family and friends and loved ones
The real and true meaning of Christmas
The birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ

O tannenbaum, o tannenbaum
How lovely are, are thy branches
O tannenbaum, o tannenbaum
How lovely are, how lovely are thy branches

The pillars all please faithfully
Our trust in God unchangedly
O tannenbaum, o tannenbaum
How love, lovely are thy branches

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen
Ha ha ha ha

CANDLE OF HOPE

Romans 15:13

Image result for House decorated for Christmas

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today is the first Sunday in advent ‘The Candle of Hope’

Isn’t it strange how at the lead up to Christmas you start to see adverts for donations to several charities whilst at the other end of the spectrum you see a house decorated like the one above.

Though having said that there used to be a person who lived in a nearby village to me decorated his house at Christmas to raise money for a ward in the local hospital.

God’s Time

Jeremiah 29

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I have this tune on a recent CD I bought it’s a piano arrangement and I love the tune but being a musician when i looked up these words it made the tune a lot more meaningful.

As Jeremiah tells us God has plans for each of us we just need to pray for him to show and teach us the way to enable us do what he says.

In His time, in His time,See the source image
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me everyday
As You’re teaching me Your way,
That you do just what You say in Your time.

In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
With its winter and its spring,
May I fathom everything in Your time.

There’s a time, there’s a time
Both for sowing and for reaping there’s a time.
Time for losing, time for gain,
Time for joy and time for pain,
Every purpose under heaven has a time.

There are times, there are days,
Weeks and months we cannot understand God’s ways.
If for years we fail to scan
What is his eternal plan,
We’ll remember that He can, all the time.

God came to Earth

Lo, Jesus came heralded by a star and so, each year candles flicker and sweet carols rise. What an infinitely small view man takes of this cosmic happening and Spiritual intrusion! God came to earth. The Creator became a creature. The Prince of Peace became a pauper. The Word of God a speechless child. King […]

God came to Earth

God came to Earth

Lo, Jesus came heralded by a star

and so, each year candles flicker

and sweet carols rise.

What an infinitely small view man takes

of this cosmic happening

and Spiritual intrusion!

God came to earth.

The Creator became a creature.

The Prince of Peace became a pauper.

The Word of God a speechless child.

King he was in Heaven

Yet on earth a lowly vassal.

The Source of all knowledge

thought the world was flat!

The communicator of truth

spoke Hebrew and Aramaic.

God came to earth

to lie howling in his mother’s arms

and muzzling at her breast.

And yet,

We sing sentimental carols

of angel choirs and spotless shepherd boys

And wonder where our God has gone!

Featured Post

Divine Providence and Sovereignty

The idea reflects the belief that God orchestrates events for our good, and what He intends for us cannot be missed or taken away.

  • Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
  • Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

These verses affirm that God’s plans are purposeful and personal—what’s meant for you will arrive in His perfect timing.

⏳ Divine Timing and Waiting

Sometimes we feel like opportunities pass us by, but Scripture encourages patience and trust.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
  • Isaiah 60:22 – “When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”

This reminds us that delays aren’t denials—they may be divine redirections.

🛡️ God’s Protection and Guidance

The phrase also implies that if something isn’t for you, it won’t stay—because God protects you from what isn’t meant to be.

  • Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

💡 Summary

In biblical terms, “What’s for you will never go past you” is a comforting reminder that:

  • God’s plans are intentional and tailored to you.
  • You won’t miss what’s truly meant for you.
  • Trusting in divine timing is an act of faith.
  • Rejection or delay may be protection or preparation.

Joy knowing the Lord

Romans 5:1-8

1 We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. 3 And we also have joy with our troubles because we know that these troubles produce patience. 4 And patience produces character, and character produces hope. 5 And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. God gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given See the source imageto us. 6 Christ died for us while we were still weak. We were living against God, but at the right time, Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good man someone might possibly die. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners. In this way God shows his great love for us.

I first heard and sang ‘Joy because of you’ about 36 – 37 years ago at The Salvation Army Divisional music camp , unfortunately I am unable to provide the words to the song but I hope you can make them out as you listen. As the song and bible passage suggests they are not just a passage and song of joy but also of testimony and praise.

How do you do your Devotions?

Yes that’s the title of today’s post, ‘How do you do your Devotions?’

Most people take a reading from a small book such as ‘ Our Daily Bread’ or ‘The word for Today’. Myself being musical minded find great comfort in in Devotional Christian music.

The other night for example I put you tube on through the app on my TV and just listened to a few pieces. The first one being one of by all time favourites because I’m not just musical minded, I love brass bands as well.

This video featured New York Staff Band united with Britain’s famous Black Dyke Band playing I’ll walk with God with great feeling and blessing.

I really did feel Gods presence come through in that piece.

I'll walk with god 
From this day on
His helping hand I'll lean upon
This is my prayer my humble plea
May the lord be ever with me

There is no death though eyes grow dim
There is no fear when I'm near to him
I'll lean on him forever 
And he'll forsake me never

He will not fail me as long as my faith is strong
What ever road I may walk alone

I'll walk with god 
I'll take his hand
I'll talk with god he'll understand
I'll pray to him
Each day to him

And he'll hear the words that I say
His hand will guide my throne and rod
And I'll never walk alone
While I walk with god