"Taking God at His Wod"

Symbols of the Christ Welcome to the Morning Worship of the College Heights Baptist Church on December the twelfth, twelfth 2021 Of course there are many symbols of Christ and His birth with which we are familiar: the manger, the five-pointed star, the Magi, shepherds, etc. There are many more that are less familiar to us, but that were common among early Christians–a partial list is at the bottom of page. All of these were meaningful to Christians at some time in history and many are still used today. Today we consider the symbol of the evergreen tree itself. The Third Sunday of Advent: JOY Service begins at 10:30 AM In Christian art, the old illuminators and glass-painters often represented the genealogy of Jesus in the form of a tree, the “tree of Jesse,” in allusion to that text in Isaiah 11:1 where it states that “there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Thus the tree represents Jesus’ royal genealogy or “family tree.” In addition, the evergreen tree is symbolic of eternal life, God’s everlasting love, and Christmas itself. Thus, for us, the “Christmas tree” can become a unique reminder of our Savior at His birth. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 Postlude & Announcements Music 100 “Angels We Have Heard on High” Welcome & Announcements Scripture & Prayer Music Robert Murphy Luke 1:26-33 335 “Standing on the Promises” “Christmas Offering” Mission Video “Thank You” Prayer Some symbols that have been used for the Lord Jesus Christ: almond tree, alpha omega, anchor, angel, apple, ark, branch, bread, burning torch, burning bush, butterfly, candle, chi rho, crown, crown of thorns, cruse of oil, daisy, dayspring, descending dove (see the stained glass above the baptistry), door, escallop shell, fish, five-, six-, eight-, & twelve-pointed stars, fleur-de-lys, gastonbury thorn, gladiolus, good shepherd, horn, horse and rider, IHS, lamb, lily, literally dozens of crosses of various designs, manger, olive, ox or bullock, pelican, rock, rose, rosemary, scepter, shepherd’s crook, tau cross, the unicorn, the cornerstone, three caskets, three nails, three intertwined circles, triquetra, vesica piscis, vine, wine-press. Each of these has an interesting history and was used at one time (maybe still) to direct our attention toward the Savior. If you are not familiar with some of these, try Googling them after the service! “Taking God at His Word” Message Lentz Upshaw (Exodus 12:29-42) Response “Go Tell it on the Mountain” Benediction Romans 8:38-39 Postlude Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, If he’s not born in thee thy soul is still forlorn. ANGELUS SILESIUS (1624–1677) 95