<\/p>\n
During the holiday season, a profusion of red, green, white, silver, and gold pervades our homes, yards, stores, televisions, and the internet. Have you ever wondered how these colors became symbolic of Christmas? Perhaps the choices were purely aesthetic. After all, green and red complement one another on the color wheel. Gold and silver strike a natural balance between fire and ice. Snowy white pairs well with any color. Whatever the origin of the traditional Christmas colors, they serve to remind us about the character of Jesus.<\/p>\n
Long associated with love, red also reminds us that Jesus\u2019 affection for us never wavers. Human love may wax and wane, depending on circumstances, but God is<\/em> love. He can never change His nature. If you have been forgiven and accepted into God\u2019s circle of love through Jesus, nothing can snatch you from Him. \u201cNo power in the sky above or in the earth below \u2014 indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord\u201d (Romans 8:39).<\/p>\n When we picture baby Jesus nestled in a humble manger, bloodshed is far from our thoughts. The gory end of Jesus\u2019 life intrudes on the cozy atmosphere we imagine at Christmas. Yet unwavering love for people compelled Him to enter earth\u2019s realm as a human for the primary purpose of death on a cross.<\/p>\n The author of Hebrews wrote, \u201cWithout the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22b). Sin demands a penalty \u2014 death. The compassionate nature of Jesus prompted Him to pay that penalty with His own life. His life was given in lieu of mine, and yours.<\/p>\n What response can we give for the incomprehensible sacrifice of Jesus? \u201cSo we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins\u201d (Ephesians 1:6-7).<\/p>\n This season, as we decorate our homes with touches of red, let\u2019s pause and thank God for love that compelled Jesus to come as a child destined to spill His blood at the cross for our salvation.<\/p>\n Photo credit: \u00a9Getty Images\/Nastco<\/span><\/p>\n Even in warm climates, Christmas decorations often include peaceful winter scenes with snow-capped cottages and frost-tinged evergreens. The soft white snow reminds us of a promise God said to His people, and to us, in the book of Isaiah.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Come now, let\u2019s settle this,\u2019 says the Lord. \u2018Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool\u2019\u201d (Isaiah 1:18).<\/p>\n God created us and desires the best for us. He hates the stain of sin passed down to us from Adam and Eve. Sin enslaves us with corrupted desires. But if we will receive Jesus by faith, He brings us out of slavery to sin and into the freedom of forgiveness. He clothes us in the white linen of His righteousness and adopts us as children into His forever family.<\/p>\n Look for the white color of Christmas in candy canes, snowmen, angels, and even holiday movies. Let\u2019s remind ourselves to thank Jesus for forgiveness that offers new life in the family of God.<\/p>\n Photo credit: \u00a9Getty Images\/Olga_Gavrilova<\/span><\/p>\n For years, I traveled annually to the frozen tundra of Siberia in the depths of winter to share God\u2019s love with Russian people. I\u2019ve noticed they often combat the bleakness of the season by growing plants indoors. Thriving green foliage dispels bitter hopelessness that sets in during a prolonged winter.<\/p>\n Christmas green is the color of evergreen trees. True to their name, they remain the same hue in every season: lush spring, balmy summer, crisp fall, and barren winter. The steadfast boughs highlight the unchanging character of Jesus. \u201cJesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever\u201d (Hebrews 13:8).\u00a0<\/p>\n Because God never changes, we can fully trust Him. But we can only trust what we know. Fortunately, God doesn\u2019t leave us to guess about His character and will. \u201cWe have received God\u2019s Spirit (not the world\u2019s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us\u201d (1 Corinthians 2:12). When we read the Bible \u2014 God\u2019s Word \u2014 under the influence of the Holy Spirit, our trust and reliance on Him deepens.<\/p>\n No doubt you have decked your halls with evergreens, a reminder of Jesus\u2019 unchanging character. As you appreciate the cheer and life the sprigs bring into your home, respond to God with gratitude. You can always count on His constant nature.<\/p>\n Photo credit: Unsplash\/alisa-anton<\/span><\/p>\n The shimmer of tinsel and luster of silver baubles add sparkle to Christmas trees. Silver in our Christmas d\u00e9cor always catches the light and the eye.<\/p>\n The psalmist compares God\u2019s promises to a particular precious and valuable metal. \u201cThe Lord\u2019s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over\u201d (Psalm 12:6).\u00a0<\/p>\n A metal known for resisting corrosion, pure silver reflects visible light almost as well as a mirror. The treasure aptly compares to God\u2019s promises because Jesus, the Light of the world, completes every promise of God. \u201cFor all of God\u2019s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding \u2018Yes!\u2019 And through Christ, our \u2018Amen\u2019 (which means \u2018Yes\u2019) ascends to God for his glory\u201d (2 Corinthians 1:20).<\/p>\n We\u2019ve all experienced the heartbreak of promises broken by people we\u2019ve trusted. But the promises of God found in His Word have been tested over time and found to be pure and reliable. Most notably, Jesus fulfilled the promise for a Savior spoken by God to Adam immediately after the first man fell prey to temptation.<\/p>\n Some of God\u2019s promises remain unfulfilled, but they\u2019re not forgotten. God is still working out His master plan that culminates in Jesus\u2019 return to earth. We look forward to the day when He restores brilliance to all that has been tarnished by sin.\u00a0<\/p>\n When the gleam of silver catches your eye this Christmas season, thank God for promises He has fulfilled. And for those promises not yet realized, keep believing in Jesus, our unfailing promise keeper.<\/p>\n Photo credit: Unsplash\/Mel Poole<\/span><\/p>\n In his iconic song, \u201cSilver and Gold,\u201d Burl Ives crooned about the pleasure we gain when we pair these two luminous metals in our decorations at Christmas. He was right. The radiance of gold lends warmth and beauty to our fireplace mantels, Christmas trees, and table decorations.<\/p>\n Once we join God\u2019s family by faith in Jesus, He continues to work to eradicate sinful desires and strengthen our trust. The Apostle Peter compares the process of gold purification to God\u2019s purification of our faith. To produce pure gold, the refiner applies fire to melt the metal. Impurities rise to the surface, and the craftsman skims off dross that would dim the splendor of the finished creation.<\/p>\n In the same way, God allows trials to heat up our lives to produce the purity and radiance of holiness.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThese trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold \u2014 though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world\u201d (1 Peter 1:7).<\/p>\n We may be tempted to say, \u201cNo, thank you\u201d to trials God allows in our lives. But let\u2019s remember Jesus goes with us through fiery ordeals. His Holy Spirit attends to all our needs to prove He is faithful. We\u2019ll see the resulting holiness when the fire cools.\u00a0<\/p>\n As you decorate with gold this Christmas, linger in the memory of refining trials that prompted a greater reliance on God. Thank Jesus for skimming off impurities within you to produce faith and holiness that is worth more than fine gold.<\/p>\n Photo credit: Unsplash\/Aaron Burden<\/span><\/p>\n We wrap gifts in paper printed with all the traditional colors of Christmas. Some of the packages seem too beautiful to tear open.\u00a0<\/p>\n Have you unwrapped God\u2019s gift of Jesus? He offers salvation to all people (John 3:16). Perhaps you have received Jesus as your Savior, yet you haven\u2019t applied His gospel to your life. Commit to receive and know your Savior through His Word this Christmas.<\/p>\n The colors of Christmas point to Jesus\u2019 trustworthy character of love, mercy, and holiness. But we have much more to learn. Continue your journey of discovery this Christmas season with my new devotional,\u00a0<\/em>25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus<\/em>. Each day leading up to Christmas, we\u2019ll explore how a symbol or tradition of Christmas leads us to adore the Savior born in Bethlehem so long ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n At my YouTube channel, I also offer a video for each devotion that gives more information about the symbols and traditions. In the \u201cLet\u2019s Go Deeper\u201d section, you\u2019ll find practical ideas to stay focused on Jesus.<\/p>\n May the colors, symbols, and traditions of Christmas lead you to fall more in love with Jesus each day of this Christmas season.<\/p>\n Photo credit: Unsplash\/Ben White<\/span><\/p>\n Annie Yorty <\/em><\/strong>writes and speaks to encourage others to perceive God\u2019s person, presence, provision, and purpose in the unexpected twists and turns of life. Married to her high school sweetheart and living in Pennsylvania, she mothers a teen, two adult children (one with intellectual disabilities), and a furry beast labradoodle. She has written From Ignorance to Bliss: God\u2019s Heart Revealed through Down Syndrome,\u00a0<\/em>and a devotional, 25 Symbols of Christmas: Finding Jesus<\/em>.<\/em> Please connect with her at AnnieYorty.com, Facebook, and Instagram.<\/p>\n In this episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations<\/strong>, your host Annie Yorty and her special guests dive into the unique challenges and beautiful complexities of maintaining a strong, loving partnership while navigating the demands of special needs parenting. Our expert guests bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to the table, offering invaluable insights and practical strategies for fostering resilience, connection, and joy in your marriage. Whether you’re homeschooling parents seeking support, or simply looking for ways to strengthen your relationship amidst life’s challenges, this conversation promises to provide the inspiration and tools you need to thrive together. Listen now!<\/p>\n \n Originally published Saturday, 06 December 2025.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" During the holiday season, a profusion of red, green, white, silver, and gold pervades our homes, yards, stores, televisions, and the internet. Have you ever wondered how these colors became symbolic of Christmas? Perhaps the choices were purely aesthetic. After all, green and red complement one another on the color wheel. Gold and silver strike<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[813,3125,481],"class_list":["post-11946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-christian-living","tag-christmas","tag-colors","tag-jesus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11946"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11946\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}White: Jesus\u2019 Forgiveness<\/h2>\n
Green: Jesus\u2019 Unchanging Character<\/h2>\n
Silver: Jesus the Promise Keeper<\/h2>\n
Gold: Jesus\u2019 Refining Fire<\/h2>\n
The Best Gift at Christmas<\/h2>\n
Related Resource: Strengthening Your Marriage While Raising a Child with Disabilities<\/h2>\n