Saturday, December 23, 2006
Philippians 2:6-8 . . . Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death.
THE COLORS OF CHRISTMAS: BROWN
Perhaps you think that brown isn't a Christmas color. I would like to know if there was ever any color more suited to Christmas? What is the color of the root and trunk of the Christmas tree which support it and give it life? What is the color of the wood in the fireplace that gives warmth? What is the color of the boxes within which so many of our presents arrive? What was the color of the original shepherds' staffs? What was the probable color of the animals in the barn with Jesus? The color of what was likely an earth floor? Was it not very likely the color of the garments of the child's parents? Was it not likely even the color of the manger itself? But most importantly is it not the color of the cross, which is the reason for Christmas?
There are many colors surrounding and intermixed with the Christmas season, but how many of them can compare with the color brown? Brown for the earth from which we came. Brown for the dust which is what we are. But most importantly brown is the color of the cross, and the color of Christ's crown. Brown, the color that Christ chose so that we might receive all the other colors, so that we might be clothed in the purple of kings, so that we might be covered in the purity of white, so that we might bud with the greenness of life, so that we might enjoy the wealth of gold. Brown, the color of Christ's humility, which is translated into the color of our exaltation. Brown, the color of Christ's suffering which makes it the color of our redemption. May brown always remain at the heart of our Christmas celebration.
Christ chose brown.
