---
title: Symbols of the Season
description: From Northeastern Seminary Faculty and Staff—Our prayer for you this Christmas Day.
image: https://blog.nes.edu/hubfs/Christmas%20Day_Northeastern%20Seminary.jpg
---

![Christmas Day_Northeastern Seminary.jpg](https://blog.nes.edu/hubfs/Christmas%20Day_Northeastern%20Seminary.jpg)

Our prayer for you this Christmas Day.

May the deep meaning  
symbolized in the green boughs of the season

Cause us to celebrate the promise of new life—a sign of  
the hope that in Christ all live forever,

Remind us of the power of Christ to heal the hurts of the  
body and soul,

Invite us to magnify God’s lasting covenant—the gift of  
Jesus Christ our Messiah.

And as we prepare for a new year  
may our daily activities reflect Christ’s incarnation.

*The tradition of the hanging of the greens dates back to the Middle Ages in which Christians decked their sanctuary with the boughs of evergreens. This act symbolized the promise of life renewed and everlasting. *

*Balsam—eager anticipation  
**Cedar—incorruptibility and healing  
**Spruce—hope in adversity  
**Pine—the meaning of eternal life  
**Holly—to understand in such a way as to prophecy  
**Juniper—protection  
**Bay laurel—victory over death*

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