The Christmas Colours
Exploring the Symbolism and Significance of the 5 Christmas Colours
Have you ever stopped to think about the significance of the colours,
and decorations that adorn our homes, churches, and communities during the Christmas season?
While many of us eagerly adopt these traditions from our elders,
few may be aware of the rich meanings and symbolism behind them.
Understanding the significance of these colours can deepen our grasp of Christmas’ true purpose.
As we gather to celebrate, surrounded by the vibrant hues and twinkling lights,
we’re reminded of the one we honour—Jesus Christ.
By looking beyond the festive decorations, we can refocus on the true meaning of the season.
The traditional palette of Christmas colours is a familiar one:
Red, Green, Gold/Yellow, White, and Silver.
In this article, we’ll delve into the rich meanings and symbolism behind these iconic hues,
uncovering the significance they hold in our Christmas celebrations.
The Christmas Colours
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Red
Red holds a profound significance in the Christmas narrative,
symbolizing the love and sacrifice embodied in the blood of Jesus Christ.
As we’re surrounded by the warm glow of red decorations,
we are reminded that it was love that made Jesus leave heaven’s glory and enter our world,
taking on human form to save and redeem us from sin.
Yes, Christmas is said to be a date we celebrate Christ’s birth,
just as we all celebrate our birthdays, but why was Jesus birthed on that day?
It is simply to demonstrate His Love and sacrifice to us. That is the core message and not your regular birthday celebration.
Reflecting on this significance will make us share and appreciate God’s love and sacrifice more in this season.
The Christmas Colours
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Green
Have you heard of the word “evergreen”?
It’s often used to describe trees that retain their vibrant green leaves year-round, remaining fresh and unchanged.
Green leaves and plants are also a vital part of our ecosystem, serving as a natural resource that provides the oxygen we breathe daily.
The evergreen trees and green leaves/plants subtly hint at the significance of the green Christmas colour.
Our ever-green Christmas trees, in particular, symbolize life and hope.
As we gather around them,
we’re reminded of the refreshing promise of eternal life and hope that Jesus’ birth brings to humanity.
Remember John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
This is the core message of the greenery colours that surround us in the Christmas season—
the fact that we are rest assured that we have hope and eternal life, through the birth and sacrifice of Jesus Christ… If we believe.
The Christmas Colours
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Gold/Yellow
Gold and yellow hues evoke a sense of royalty and divinity.
As we celebrate Christmas, we’re acknowledging Jesus Christ as the King of kings, the ruler of the world.
The prophetic words of Isaiah 9:6-7 come alive: “For unto us, a child is born… And the government will be upon His shoulder.”
These verses remind us that Christ is the mighty ruler, the Prince of Peace, with all authority resting on His shoulders.
Genesis 3:15 also foretells the coming of Christ to Earth, where He would reign over darkness.
In this verse, God declares to Satan,
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
This ancient prophecy foreshadows God’s plan to send Jesus Christ to Earth,
where He would triumph over the forces of darkness, establishing Himself as the supreme ruler over all.
This is the core message of the Gold/Yellow hues that surround us during the Christmas season:
that Jesus is the King and Ruler over the world, reigning supreme over every work of darkness.
With this truth, we can stand firm in the assurance that Satan has no power over us,
for Christ is with us – Emmanuel, the ultimate Ruler of all.
The Christmas Colours
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White
White represents a spectrum of virtues, including purity, righteousness, peace, and new beginnings.
Jesus Christ embodied these qualities, living a sinless life from birth to death.
His miraculous birth through the Virgin Mary highlights His purity and righteousness.
As the blameless Lamb of God, Jesus took upon Himself the weight of humanity’s sin,
offering us righteousness and justification before God through faith.
The scripture in 2 Corinthians 5:21 beautifully encapsulates this truth:
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
As we’re surrounded by the white decorations during Christmas,
we are reminded that through Christ Jesus, we’ve been made holy, pure, and righteous.
As a result, we’re called to live a life set apart from impurity and unholiness, reflecting the beauty of our redeemed nature.
The Christmas Colours
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Silver/Grey
The Silver Christmas colour holds a rich symbolism, representing redemption and honour.
Perhaps even more profoundly,
silver is often likened to the soft glow of the moon and stars, evoking a sense of celestial wonder and divine guidance.
To understand the significance of the Silver Christmas colour,
let’s revisit the story of the group of wise men from the East who travelled to worship the newborn Jesus.
As recorded in Matthew 2:1-2, these wise men followed a star in the East, which guided them to Jerusalem in search of the King of the Jews.
Matthew 2:1-2 KJV
[1] Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
[2] saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.2.1-2.KJV
Later, in Matthew 2:9-10, we read that the same star reappeared, leading them to the exact location where Jesus was.
The silver stars adorning our Christmas trees have their roots in the biblical account of the Wisemen.
Just as the star guided the wise men to Jesus, our Christmas stars symbolize the direction and guidance Jesus offers to us.
Moreover, the stars shine brightly in the darkness, signifying the radiant light Jesus brings to a world in need of illumination.
As the silver glow surrounds us this Christmas season, we’re reminded that Jesus is the sole source of light in every darkness.
With Him, we’re never lost or alone.
The Wisemen’s joy upon seeing the star that led them to Christ is a reflection of the elation that fills the heart of one who finds Jesus.
This joy is not only reserved for the unbeliever who discovers Christ through the witness of a believer,
but also for the believer who has experienced the life-changing presence of Christ, the Light of the World.
The Christmas Colours
Now that we’ve uncovered the profound significance of the colours surrounding us during Christmas, a crucial question arises:
“How can we better align our hearts and lives with the true meaning and significance of the Christmas season?”
As believers, we are intimately connected with the pivotal events of Christ’s birth, death, burial, and resurrection.
Christmas, therefore, is not merely a nostalgic celebration of Jesus’ life,
but a profound demonstration of the life-changing significance of His birth, which is why to truly experience the richness of this season,
it’s crucial that we grasp the deeper meaning behind the symbols, traditions, and even colours that surround us in this season.
Therefore, as we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, we’re reminded of the incredible gifts He’s bestowed upon us: eternal life, royalty, and joint-heirship with Him.
Through His sacrifice, He’s made us righteous, bearing our sins, and granting us authority to be lights in the world.
In this season of Christmas, let’s extend Christ’s love to others, filling them with hope and being that light in their lives.
We can do this through kind words, prayers, and giving.
That’s what Christmas is all about – it’s all about Jesus,
His will for us and mankind, put into action by Christians during this season and beyond.
Also Read: All is Calm: Receiving Jesus Rest This Christmas – Diademng
The Christmas Colours
