The Apple, Adam, Jesus and the wise kings

Some things don't change. If you look to the right of this copy you will see Nathan holding the famed Apple. Everyone knows the story of Adam and Eve, and the apple. It's been around for centuries, in fact since the beginning of time, I think....

I love this photo because it shows what we have a lot of here in New England, the apple. Each fall we head to the many orchards to purchase, pies, and many varieties of apples because we believe that the apple is one of the best fruits you can eat. Nathan and I have spent many days together and many days I would peel him an apple for a treat, instead of cookies.

Many expressions are associated with the apple, like an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or, you are the apple of my eye. The apple has special significance to me reminiscing Christmas past, when we would race to see what Santa brought us in our stocking. We always had an apple in the top of the hung stocking, followed by nuts, then an orange in it's heel. The stem of the sock always had coloring books and crayons, small toys and a candy cane. The reason we were told that we had an apple in our stocking was because there was a hidden message within.

The story goes something like this. The three wise men, who were told to report back to King Herod upon finding the Christ child, instead kept it a mystery. They were led to the cave by a bright star. The apple is a special gift to mankind, just like Jesus is. When you cut the apple in half, a mysterious and hidden star appears within, to remind us of the Star of Bethlehem and baby Jesus, hidden in a manager.

Grandmother was full of stories. She could tell great stories all about the wonder of Christmas, angels, sleigh rides, and boy could she tell funny jokes . Remember that song, "We need a little Christmas"... Why? Why did we need Christmas? Because of Adam....

The Genesis story tells us about another event where there was Eve, the apple and Adam , which brought about destruction and death. "Adam is a type, a prefigurement, of Christ as Head of humanity. Adam's decision brought about death and the law of sin; Christ brings life and the law of the Spirit, righteousness." Taken from the Orthodox Study Book commentary.

Sing all together..."We need a little Christmas Now".