“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who
believes in Me should stay in darkness.”
John 12:46 (NIV)
In the Middle Ages people did not
know how to read. Since the people did not know how to read they often held
plays to teach biblical truths. The play they put on during the Christmas
season was always about Adam and Eve. You may be wondering what Adam and Eve
had to do with Christmas. The play started with apples hung on an evergreen
tree. Germany
had no apple trees so they used an evergreen tree with apples tied to it. Adam
and Eve had decided to disobey the voice and will of the Lord and ate fruit
from the tree of life. They chose to rebel and their relationship with God
changed significantly. They immediately went into hiding. God went looking for
them. He removed them from the garden of Eden. Since this day sin has been with
mankind. That is why we experience death in the world. Romans 6:23 tells us
that “the wages of sin is death.” But how can our sin be paid for? Who could
make us clean again? God had a plan. For there was only one way he could save
us and reconcile us to himself and this is through His only begotten Son. At
Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ birth. It pays Adam and Eve’s debt. It pays our
debts as well. Jesus came, lived a holy, faultless life. He died on the cross. This
paid for our sin once and for all. Why was there an apple on the evergreen tree
during the Middle Ages? It was to remind us of our sinful choices. Why do we
put lights on our Christmas trees? It is to signify the light of the world. John
12:46 says “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes
in Me should stay in darkness.” We have three colors that are used mainly at
Christmas. They are red, green, and white. These colors signify different
things. The color red signifies the forbidden fruit as well as Christ’s blood
that he shed on the cross. The color green signifies the tree of life. And the
color white signifies Jesus, the light of the world. The play that they put on
in the Middle Ages was spiritually good for the people. They could understand
and comprehend the true meaning of Christmas. Just hearing about their play can
help us believers today understand the connection between the Old and New
Testaments. Tonight is Christmas Eve. I encourage you to go to a Christmas Eve
service somewhere. God will bless you for it and it will remind you of the true
meaning of Christmas and what Christmas is all about.
Father, thank You for reminding us of Adam and Eve and how
sin entered the world. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son. That
whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. You are
such a good and wonderful God. We love You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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