Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.
Images of Christmas abound in verse, in song, in picture, and in film. Sounds of Christmas abound in the songs that we hear sung and played on the radio. Smells and tastes of Christmas abound in the many baked goods and other edibles that are exchanged throughout this time of the year.
Images of Jesus are just as plentiful in scripture. Jesus is seen as the embodiment of love come to set His people free. We call Him many things: wonderful, counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace, just to name a few.
His images are placed on Christmas cards as well. A tiny baby in swaddling clothes in a manger is the most popular image. Another image of the season captured in song is the rose. It is often used to symbolize Mary, the one who said yes to God when asked to become the mother of Jesus.
Because of Mary’s great love for God and her hope that the promise of God would come about, she brought Jesus into the world. We, too, can bring Jesus into our world. Not as Mary did. After all, Jesus was born once for all. But we can bring Jesus into the world by being kind and compassionate, by helping those in need, by providing for those who have nothing, and by being humble servants of the Lord who say yes to God even as Mary did.
FAITH ACTION: Try to bring love to others by the manner in which you speak and act this day.