Cut a Christmas tree from green poster board. For the ornaments, use white and colored paper. Use white poster board to make the star and the candles. Gifts at the base of the tree can be wrapped or just placed underneath.
Have members of your Bible study group (or family members) decorate the tree and talk about how Jesus really is “the reason for the season.”
White ornaments:
The white Scripture balls are verses that tell about Jesus. They form the trunk of the tree (Jesus is the True Vine – John 15:1). The last four fill in the second branch (2 on each side) forming a cross in the middle of the tree. Start at the bottom of the tree and go up with the scriptures as you explain them:
1. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David (Luke 2:11)
2. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
3. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning God is with us) (Matthew 1:23).
4. Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).
5. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6a).
6. Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25a).
7. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
8. “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved” (John 10:9a).
9. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
10. “Take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).
11. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God (Romans 4:25).
12. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
After making the cross in the tree with the twelve white ornaments, place the star on top of the tree, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
White candles:
The first Christmas trees were decorated with candles on the ends of the branches. There are nine candles for our Scripture tree, each one “lit” with a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Place “love” at the base of the tree for Jesus said, “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends” (John 15:12-13).
Place the other eight candles on the tips of the branches citing examples of how Jesus demonstrated joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in His lifetime.
The first twelve ornaments, the star and the candles are white to represent the purity of Jesus who knew no sin (1 Peter 2:
Colored ornaments:
The colored ornaments are some of Jesus’ words to His followers. Although Jesus said “You are the light of the world” and “Let your shine before men” (Matthew 5:14, 16), we must always remember that we have been stained with sin and are reflective light. We can only shine when we are “plugged in” to the Source of Light. Fill in the rest of the tree with these ornaments, reading each as you put them on, reflecting on Jesus’ words to us.
- “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness . . .” (Matthew 6:33).
- “You are the salt of the earth . . .” (Matthew 5:13).
- “You are my friends, if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).
- “You will know them by their fruits . . .” (Matthew 7:16).
- “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail . . .” (Luke 22:32).
- “You are the light of the world . . .” (Matthew 5:14).
- “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth . . .” (Matthew 28:18).
- “By this all men will know that you My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
- “Let your light shine before men . . .” (Matthew 5:16).
- “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .” (Matthew 6:20).
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God . . .” (Matthew 5:8).
- “My sheep hear My voice . . . and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
The Scripture references for the colored ornaments are taken from the New American Standard.
At the base of the tree, place the gifts that Jesus gives to those who trust Him:
- ETERNAL LIFE: The greatest gift of all is the gift of eternal life – Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- THE HOLY SPIRIT: He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide and instruct us – John 14:16: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you.”
- SPIRITUAL GIFTS: To each Christian is given at least one spiritual gift – 1 Corinthians 12:7: A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
- PEACE: Only through Christ can we know true peace – John 14:27: I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
- WISDOM: We have only to ask for wisdom, in faith believing, and He promises to give it to us. James 1:5: If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.
- FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: We can cope with the trials of life because God gives us the fruit of Jesus’ Spirit – Galatians 5:22, 23: But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- GLORY: Jesus shares His glory with His believers. John 17:22: “I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one as we are.”
- POWER, LOVE, SOUND MIND: 2 Timothy 1:7:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (NKJV).
- THE MIND OF CHRIST: 1 Corinthians 2:16: . . . But we have the mind of Christ (NKJV).
The tree may be draped with garlands or red yarn or rick-rack to represent the shed blood of Jesu
Note:
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Something extra:
With the remnants from the green poster board, you can make stars with descriptions of Jesus. On one side you would put the description, on the other the Scripture. Punch hole in the top of the star, place ornament hanger in the hole and hang on your regular Christmas tree. Below you will find just a few of the descriptions of Jesus.
- Only begotten – John 1:14
- First and Last – Revelation 1:17
- Cornerstone – Ephesians 2:20
- Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6
- Emmanuel – Isaiah 7:14
- Bread of Life – John 6:48
- Governor – Matthew 2:6
- Judge – Acts 10:42
- Rock – 1 Corinthians 10:4
- Vine – John 15:1
- Unspeakable Gift – 2 Corinthians 9:15
- Teacher – John 3:2
- King – Matthew 21:5
- Shepherd – Hebrews 13:20
- I AM – John 858
- Lamb – Revelation 5:6
- High Priest – Hebrews 4:14
- Advocate – 1 John 2:1
- Good Shepherd – John 10:11
- Morning Star – Revelation 22:16
It is my prayer that this tree will represent the true meaning of Christmas that we, as believers, celebrate.
© Stephanie B. Blake
One Focus Ministries 