PAPER MONEY DEPICTING JESUS

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V23 2020 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 23, Number 50, December 13, 2020, Article 27

Jeff Wing submitted a Christmas article as well, on paper money. Thank you! -Editor

The decorations, music, gatherings, and television let us know that it is the Christmas season. However, do these items emphasis the real "Reason for the Season?" Likewise, many consider the fact that US money states "In God we Trust," to be inspirational since it shows that the US is based on faith. Do other countries depict Christian faith? To answer this question, I performed much research and found the answer to be a resounding "Yes." This led me to write the book Paper Money Messages – Vol 3 (Christianity).

I have provided two examples of paper money below that depicts Jesus. The notgeld set (emergency money) from Germany explains the Christian story and I have provided Bible scriptures to help better explain the images. I hope that everyone is healthy and safe during this Christmas season.

The 1921 notgeld 50 pf set from Kahla depicts the Christmas Nativity story. These notgeld depict a story of hope that was predicted over 1,000 years prior in the Old Testament.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:4-5 (NIV)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid." I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16 (NIV)

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts or gold and of incense and of myrrh. Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

Although a decorated tree is a Christmas tradition, one is not mentioned in the Bible. Prior to Christianity, placing trees in a house was a part of solstice celebrations. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away evil spirits.