I put the last of the Christmas ornaments on the tree last night. Actually they aren't ornaments at all...they are just little red bows. But they have a significance and as I was putting them on, I dwelt upon what they mean, at least to me and my family.

Now here is the meaning behind the red bow...

Joshua, chapter 2

â?¦Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death."
"Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land."
So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. Now she had said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way."
The men said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear."
"Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the windowâ?¦

Now here's the thing. In Hebrew, the word for scarlet cord is "tikvah", which means hope. Also, windows in the homes at that time were for ventilation and light, not for viewing. So their placement was usually at ceiling level which were also very high. Pegs were usually placed into the walls to act like a ladder to reach the window. It took a great effort on Rahabâ??s part to place this "tikvah", this symbol of hope in the window for the Jews to see. Rahab had already declared her faith in the Lord for salvation, but now it was up to her, making an effort, for others to see her declaration. Today, the little red bow is representative of the "tikvah". Over the years much of that meaning has been lost in the hustle and bustle of the retailers holiday. Over the years, the significance of our hope has faded as though it has been through the laundry one too many times. Over the years, windows to the world have been enlarged and does not cause us any effort on our part to show our faith, or lack of it. But the meaning, the symbolism is still true, just forgotten. The little red bow still is a symbol of Christmas, and the hope of the world, Jesus.

So, as I put these last few items on the tree, I thought of these things. I hope by sharing this, it will help illuminate the tradition for you as well.....and maybe, just maybe, it will mean something for you as well!

Merry Christmas.....