The Symbols of Christmas

“Teach the children the old meanings of Christmas ~ the meanings that Christmas now-a-days has forgotten”.  

The pure Green color of the stately Fir Tree remains green all year round.  This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind, and the everlasting life we can only get through God. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature.  When we look closely at this evergreen tree we see the needles on this tree point heavenward ~ symbolic of man’s need to focus on heaven. The great, green tree is one of god’s great gifts and has been one of man’s best friends.  It has, warmed him, sheltered him and made beauty for him.”

Shining Gold Star, long ages ago, God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the fulfillment of that promise was the great Star of the East.  The star now reminds us of God’s love for mankind and of God fulfilling his promise.  The countless shining stars at night now show the burning hope of all mankind.”

RED is the first color of Christmas.  It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the Savior. Jesus Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God’s gift to all, eternal life.  Red is deep, intense, vivid.  It is the greatest color of all.  It is the symbol of the gift of God.” 

HOLLY LEAF the holly plant represents everlasting life.  Its leaves also remain green year round.  Its thorny points can remind us of the crown of thorns worn by our Savior when he died, later to rise again in immortality.  The red holly berry represents the blood shed by Him.”

ANGEL. the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior’s birth.  The angels sang ‘Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men.”.

Bells as the lost sheep are found by sounds of the bell, so should it ring for all men to return to the fold; The bell means guidance and return to God; it further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.  For Christ said, “I left the 99 and went in search of the one.”

Lights or Candles: the candle is symbolic of man’s thanks for the star of long ago.  The candle also symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness. The candle signifies the Light that shines within all of God’s people.  A light that should never be hidden.  Its flame seems very weak, but it chases away the darkness, just as the stars do.  It’s small light is the mirror of starlight. At first candles were placed on the Christmas tree ~ they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green.  Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the white and colored lights have taken over in remembrance.  These lights can now remind us that Christ is the Light of the World.

Gifts: God so loved the world that he gave…the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented him with gifts, of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  We should always give gifts. 

The Bow is placed on a present to tie it together.  It can remind us of the spirit, and the brotherhood, of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied ~ all of us together, with the bonds of good will and love toward each other.  Goodwill forever is the message of the bow.”

The Candy Cane represents the shepherds crook.  The crook on the shepherd’s staff helps bring the strayed sheep back to the fold.  The candy cane is the symbol of Salvation, that we are our brother’s keeper and reminds us of the helping hand we should show at Christmas time

The endless circle of the Wreath symbolizes the real nature of love.  Real love never ceases.  So too, is the eternal nature of God’s love; it never ceases, never stops, Never ends.  Real love is one continuous round of affection. The wreath also does double duty.  It is made of many things and in many colors.  It can be made of evergreen or of holly.  It can have stars or candles, or red ornaments.  It can have ribbons and candy canes.  It can reminds us all of the things of Christmas.