"SYMBOLS TO LOOK FOR"

Have you seen any candy canes this season?

Have you seen any Christmas Trees? Wreathes? Candles? They are all symbols to look for to see Jesus and God in the world.

Can you think of any other symbols of God by just looking around?

White hair - is a symbol of wisdom in Daniel and Revelation.

Bible – reminds us of God’s word.

Crosses – where Jesus hung. St. Andrew Cross with the flame.

Dollar Bills – has a triangle with an eye in it. Trinity. All seeing.

Church – Jesus’s gatherings and teaching.

Bread and Grapes/wine – last supper.

Rainbow and Doves – Noah Ark.

Fish – Jesus feeding people.

Beehive – where people all work together.

Holly Tree - The thorny, prickly leaves are regarded as a symbol of the crown of thorns.

Lily – Symbolizes Easter and immortality. The bulb decays in the ground, yet from it new life is released.

Roosters - Before a rooster crows twice you will deny me three times

Water - “If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink?" Water is cleansing and life giving.

Bells – A bell calling people to worship symbolizes the need of priority for the things of God over the secular.

Coat and Dice - Referring to the garment of Jesus for which the soldiers at the foot of the cross-cast lots with dice.

Nails – The great nails driven through the palms and feet of Jesus at His crucifixion are symbols of the poignancy of His physical suffering.

Flames – Did you know that flames or fire are used 627 times in the Bible to signify an appearance of God to man. The lighting of the candle in church is symbolic of God is with us.

Table – A table is a symbol of where we eat. It is literally where we eat physical food, but spiritually, it refers to our mental and spiritual nourishment

Coins - How often do we stop to pick up a quarter or a nickel, but walk past a penny lying on the ground? Instead of focusing on the monetary value of the coin, let it instead be a reminder of, “IN GOD WE TRUST”!!!

Lambs and birds – offering of a sacrament.

The Linen Napkin – John 20:7 says, “And the napkin, that was about his head, was not lying with the linen clothes, but folded in a place by itself. In Jesus’ day, it was customary for the master upon leaving the table to fold his napkin and leave it at his place at the table indicating he planned to return. Upon completion of the meal, the master would then wad the napkin and toss it onto the table indicating he was finished with his meal. The symbolism here is that Jesus’ napkin was folded. He is coming back!