Meaning & Significance Of The Christmas Symbols

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Christmas is drawing near. It is the festival of joy and peace. It is the time when people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with great enthusiasm with their friends and family. It is also the time which is spent with family, followed with the exchange of gifts. There are many things about Christmas which makes this festival all the more interesting and merry.

The best thing about Christmas is the symbols and the rituals associated with it. For example, the mythical character of Santa Claus who goes around giving gifts to children. Another main symbol of this festival is the Christmas Tree. This too does have a very clear religious significance. Then there is the mistletoe under which lovers are supposed to kiss. All of these Christmas symbols have a very special meaning and significance.

Let us have a close look at all these Christmas symbols, their meaning and their significance.

Holly

Holly is an extremely hardy shrub. It can survive the extremes of temperatures. It is known for its attractive red berries and sharp green leaves. A holly bush represents immortality, a trait which has been gifted to every human. We all live forever, whether with God or separated from Him.

Gifts

Christmas gifts are a craze among all, especially kids. The wise men who the gifts of gold, incense and myrrh to the Infant Jesus on His birth have popularised the concept of exchanging gifts.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe is an aerial parasite which does not have roots of its own. It generally attaches itself and grows on a tree. Without that tree, the mistletoe would die. It is a symbol of God's love for us. A mistletoe cannot survive without the tree. Similarly we humans cannot survive without the love of God.

Christmas Tree

Many pagan cultures worshipped the evergreen trees and used them to ward off evil. In the early 700, Saint Boniface, who converted Germans to Christianity, demolished the Oak of Thor which was worshipped by the Saxons. From the roots of this grew the fir tree, which was seen as the sign of Christian faith. The Christmas tree is also believed to be the Tree of Paradise and hence it is an important Christian symbol.

Tinsel

Tinsel is the thin, metallic strands which is used for the Christmas decorations. A legend says that once there was a poor family who wished to decorate the Christmas tree in honour of Christ. But they did not have enough money. At night the spiders came and spun webs in and around the Christmas tree. Seeing their faith, Christ turned the threads of the web into silver strands. So, when we give ourselves to God completely, He adds even more value to our faith.

Candles

Candles represent Christ- the Light of the World. In the advent wreath, a purple (for penance) candle is lit for the first, second and fourth Sundays of the advent and a pink candle (for joy) for the third Sunday. On Christmas day a pure white candle is lit at the centre of the wreath.

Bells

Bells were a part of the Jewish high priest's garb. Bells not only symbolise the joy of Christmas but also is a reminder that Jesus is the the High Priest.

Candy Cane

A candy cane is shaped like a shepherd's crook which reminds us that Jesus who is the Good Shephard came into our world on Christmas. The red stripe signifies Christ's sacrifice and the white part His purity.

Gingerbread Man

The gingerbread man cannot create himself but is rather created. The gingerbread man is the colour of Earth which reminds us of God's creation of Adam. Therefore a gingerbread man signifies human beings and the fact that no human can be immortal.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus is actually Saint Nicholas who was extremely generous to the poor but anonymously. Santa Claus signifies the need of giving alms to the poor and the needy.