Do you put a Christmas wreath on your door? So do people around the world. In Eastern Europe they are decorated with fruits and nuts. In Mexico you’ll see colorful wreaths of paper flowers. In Poland the wreaths are often made of straw with ribbons and dried flowers. The residents of Hawaii make many of their wreaths out of tropical flowers, palm leaves, and seashells.

Everywhere the meaning is the same. The shape of the wreath—a circle—represents the endless and eternal life Jesus came to bring us. The Gospel of John, though it doesn’t really tell the story of Joseph and Mary, has the most to say about our limitless life in Christ. In the New King James Version, John uses the word eternal ten times and the word everlasting another eight times. In John 6:47, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”

This season when you spot a wreath, let it remind you to thank the Lord for endless days!

If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost.
Corrie ten Boom