The Red Ribbon

As my family and I traveled home from a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend in Hernando, Mississippi, we passed by many homeowners pulling out their decorations for the next upcoming holiday, Christmas. I saw lights being strung on railings and rooftops, wreaths being hung on windows and doors, and various fixtures being placed in front yards and on porches. Yes, Christmas is upon us, and we're all getting ready for...what? Is there a purpose behind this preparation? I wonder, across America, and the world, has Christmas become just another reason to throw a seasonal party in order to break the monotony of every day life?

I asked this very question again as I began decorating my own front door. Why the wreath?Does this circular object have meaning, or is it just "pretty" and "fitting" at Christmas? And then, why the greenery with the velvety red ribbon that I was placing around my door frame? I do love the look, but is that it? When I asked these heart-questions, the Lord of my heart faithfully answered. He sweetly reminded me of a certain passage of Scripture while I held the red ribbon:

Each household is to take a lamb...your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old...the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the doorposts..." Exodus 12:3,5-7

When my mind settled on these verses, the crimson red ribbon that I was hanging around my door frame became much more than traditional decor that I found on the shelf at Michael's. I suddenly felt a beautiful connection to the Israelites of old. Their Savior is my Savior. I have a Protector over my household as well. He has come, and He lives within. So, I continued hanging the greenery with red ribbon, but now, in humbled worship.

This led me to my next thought concerning the red-ribboned wreath on my door. (God had more answers for my heart.) Could this decorative piece represent God's matchless love that is complete because of the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son? In your mind's eye, trace your finger around a wreath from top, to bottom, to top while reading these all too familiar words:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

So as the world celebrates, does the world know why? When you hang your wreath and greenery at your door, celebrate your Savior. May the red ribbon remind you of His crimson blood shed for you and your household. His entry into the world has purchased your entry into heaven. This is what the world needs to know. Yes, may our homes and our hearts and our voices sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"