Summer Wreath of Life

My friend and decorator Madelaine Singleton and I have put together seasonal wreaths that bear spiritual significance. Feel free to take a look at these on my website: Holiday Wreath of Hope, Winter Wreath of Peace, and Spring Wreath of Grace. Now, we would like to present the Summer Wreath of Life. Each of its elements has a deeper meaning so that when you hang it in your choice spot, it speaks Truth.

1. Start with a grapevine wreath. All the seasonal wreaths begin with the dry and tangled grapevine in order to represent who we are without Christ. Romans 3:10-12 speaks of our predicament: There is none righteous not even one. There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless. Another way of putting it is found in Psalm 1:4: they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
2. Add grassy moss. This element represents the Life that Christ brings into our souls when we call Him Savior. Because of His great love, He left heaven's throne and came after us. Here is His gift to you and to me: He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:2). We, who once were wayward in our sin, are now captured with His love. We are wearing His righteousness!
3. Add bright flowers at the top of the wreath. These can be any vibrant color in order to symbolize the abundant life Christ gives to us. The flowers represent the blessings that we are now crowned with: glory and majesty (Psalm 8:5), as well as lovingkindness and compassion (Psalm 103:4); and this crown is imperishable (1 Corinthians 9:25)!
4. Add colorful ribbons at the bottom of the wreath. These free flowing ribbons represent the powerful, abiding Spirit that works within us. We now have the opportunity to obey the Spirit rather than our flesh. (Remember our bleak condition without Christ). The Holy Spirit provides these blessings for us: wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength, and knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). Also, He gives us His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Now that's ABUNDANT LIFE!

Grab your four creative elements. Make a wreath with some friends this summer. Celebrate together the LIFE that Christ brings to us. Then hang it in a place where you and others can be blessed by its beauty and its meaning.The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10