Never-ending Union

And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3

From the early days of Irish Christianity, the Celtic cross has had a circle surrounding the intersection of the vertical and horizontal axes of the cross. Some believe the design originated with St. Patrick, who, upon seeing a round symbol of the moon goddess, drew a Christian cross over it, changing a Druid symbol into a new symbol for Irish Christianity.

In the same way that St. Patrick adopted a pagan circle and gave it new meaning, so other Christians adopted another circle and gave it new meaning to celebrate Christ’s birth. When early Christians changed the Roman Winter Solstice celebration of the rebirth of the sun (originally on December 21) to a celebration of the birth of the “Son of Righteousness,” the evergreen wreath was adopted as well—but given new meaning.

Instead of being simply a garland, the round Christmas wreath speaks of the never-ending unity and fellowship we have with God through Christ. It is a picture of what C. S. Lewis wrote: “Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever?”

When you hang a wreath on your door or over your fireplace this Christmas, don’t fail to notice that the wreath has no end. Likewise, there is no end to our union with God.