Have you ever thought about the meanings or legends behind some of the
ornaments you might see around the holiday season?
My favorite Christmas store {well, in my limited knowledge of Christmas stores}
is a place called Bronner’s, located in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
They have information on all kinds of Christmas legends!
It’s pretty fascinating.
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| source: Bronner’s |
The hummingbird.
This is an incredible tiny little bird.
They are a bit of a marvel to sit and watch up close if you ever get the chance.
Honestly, until I looked up the legend of this Christmas symbol,
I wasn’t aware it really was a symbol of Christmas.
I just knew we had a lovely hummingbird ornament hanging on our tree!
But…
when I read the symbolism it really made me think about this blog.
About the reason why I blog.
Ron was just sharing with me the other day
that it’s like you can draw a line in between
the negative slanted writing that was Peyton’s CaringBridge page
and the positive writing that {for the most part} makes up this blog.
It’s like you could tell where I had a life change
that allowed me to transition from living in the darkness and despair
of the brokenness of my life
to being able to live for today and go forward with the hope and assurance
that God is right there by my side through the brokenness
and through the pain,
giving me the strength I need to continue on this journey.
I shared about that recently as well.
So, the hummingbird is now a reminder for me –
a reminder that, while I can choose to fly backwards if I want,
I don’t have to stay there.
I can hover for a while, in the moment, savoring the sweetness of it
and then keep on moving forward.
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| Moira’s Hummingbird ornament – it was purchased at The Smithsonian in Washington, DC in December 2009 |
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| source: Bronner’s |
Have you ever seen a Cardinal live and in person?
They are the most beautiful, brilliant red.
They are truly magnificent.
When I think about this legend, it forces me to think about this –
when we are celebrating Christmas, we not only celebrate the birth of our Savior,
but we are acknowledging His presence in the world –
His presence in our lives.
Not just as a small, helpless, innocent child,
but as a child that grew into a boy who would teach in the temple,
and a man who would spend years discipling others.
This baby would be born so that through our belief in Him,
we would be saved from our sins.
We would be redeemed by the blood He shed for us on the cross.
At Christmas we celebrate His birth, but also a full life
that culminated in redemption for us sinners
and the promise of eternal life if we but follow Him.
There is no gift that could possibly go under my tree
that could ever match the one given me over 2,000 years ago.
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| Peyton’s Cardinal ornament – it was purchased at The Smithsonian in Washington, DC in December 2009 |
Please come back tomorrow when Kelli shares Day Two with you!
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About Kelli Hays
