OBJECTS: A Piece of Blue Bunting or Muslin and a
Yellow Six-pointed Star=
Bring back Jesus into Christmas. This should be in our thoughts as we
plan a Christmas program for children and young folks for this day.
Christmas is Christ's birthday, but it is too often a birthday-party
without Christ. We cannot truly celebrate his glad natal day if we
crowd him out of the celebration.
I have attended Christmas celebrations where a cantata was rendered
full of fairies, Brownies, and Santa Claus, and the name of Christ
was not mentioned from start to finish. The cantata could have been
given with entire acceptance at an infidel's celebration or in a
Hindu temple. Christmas is a merry day, and I would not take one glad
note from its music, but do not forget the King. It is his birthday
we are celebrating.
To bring back Jesus into Christmas perhaps it will help a little to
introduce a Christmas flag, and hang it up in sight of all the
people. Before the festivities begin explain the Christmas flag, and
by so doing we shall be introducing Jesus and giving him first place
on the program.
To make a Christmas flag, secure a piece of sky-blue bunting or
muslin, and explain that the blue stands for our faith in Jesus which
is as clear as the blue sky above us without a cloud of unbelief in
it.
We believe Jesus to be God's only divine Son without a single cloud
of doubt. In the center of the plain blue background place a
six-pointed golden or yellow star commonly called the Star of David.
This is beyond all doubt the Bible star. Jesus was the Bright and
Morning Star. Let this star stand for Jesus of the House of David.
The history of the six-pointed star is most interesting. It will be
real news to many of the young people. This star now appears on the
Jewish flag.
During the recent convention of the Federation of American Zionists
in Pittsburgh, the display of the six-pointed star flag was very much
in evidence. On a white background two heavy blue stripes are sewn,
and between them the Jewish emblem, the double triangle, forming a
six-pointed star, and known as the "Shield of David." The Zionist
flag, therefore, symbolizes in the white background the priestly
nation; the blue stripes stand for loyalty and unity of all Israel,
and the "Shield of David" represents the star of faith in the unity
of the one true and living God.
Inquiry has often been made as to the origin of the "Shield of
David." The common opinion held among the Jews is that it originated
with King David, and became the religious emblem of the nation, and
was the conspicuous symbol on Solomon's Temple. From that time on it
continued the popular sign of the Jews and may be seen at the present
time on synagogues, temples, and Jewish institutions. Tell the
children where they may see it in their own neighborhood.
The popular belief regarding this emblem, however, finds no
historical support. Its origin is shrouded in impenetrable mystery.
The Jewish Encyclopedia does not shed very much light on the subject
and makes only the following observation:
The Jewish view of God, which permitted no images of him, was and
still is opposed to the acceptance of any symbols, and neither the
Bible nor the Talmud recognized their existence. It is noteworthy,
moreover, that the "Shield of David" is not mentioned in Rabbinical
literature. The "Shield of David," therefore, probably did not
originate within Rabbinism, the official and dominant Judaism for
more than 2,000 years, nevertheless a David's Shield has recently
been noted on a Jewish tombstone at Tarentum, in Southern Italy,
which may date back as early as the third century of the Common Era.
(C. M. Adler in _Jewish Quarterly Review_, 14, 3.)
The earliest Jewish literature which mentioned it, the _Eskol
Hakofer_ of the Karaite Judah Hadassi (middle of the twelfth
century), says in chapter 242 some names of angels precede the
Mezuzah (a tiny tin case containing a scripture fastened on the
side-posts of doors of orthodox Jewish houses): Michael, Gabriel,
etc. Tetragrammaton protect thee! And likewise the sign called
David's Shield is placed beside the name of each angel. It was
therefore at this time a sign on amulets. Later Jewish writers speak
of its popularity, but little of its origin.
In using this star you will make a strong appeal to Jewish children
and to all Christian children. It will help to keep Christ in
Christmas.
After you have finished your address on the Christmas flag teach them
the following _salute_. Tell them to place their hands upon their
heart and to fix their eyes on the flag and to say the following
words:
"I salute thee, dear old Christmas flag, I will give my love and
service to Jesus whose birthday we are celebrating. I believe in his
Church and the Holy Bible, and will defend it with all my heart."
Now all stand and sing "Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come." Close by
using a Christmas march. On a staff carried by a boy place the Star
of David. He will lead the march, the children will follow him around
the room, representing the Wise-men following the star.
=45