HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS FLAG

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.