Decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts with friends and family, and munching on candy canes – these might seem like regular festive practices. Pause to ponder a while and their deeper significance becomes apparent… The Christmas tree, an evergreen, stays gloriously verdant all year through, reminding believers of eternal hope and life symbolised by the Christ child. The tall trees also remind us to look up (from our phones, perhaps?) and connect to God in our daily life.
The cute angel figures are more than a pretty décor element – they hark back to the time of Jesus’ birth. The good news had been heralded by the angels that first Christmas night. Gleaming bells are not just a sign of jubilation; their jingling
presence guides the ‘lost sheep’ back to the Master. The cheery holly berries surrounded by prickly green leaves is another evergreen, signifying immortality.
The pretty Christmas wreath hanging on your door symbolises the unending love of God; the circle is continuous and has neither beginning nor end. Glowing Christmas candles are a reminder of Christ, the light amidst the darkness, while Christmas gifts are a symbol of love and kindness, a reminder of the gift that is Christ himself. And don’t forget the three wise men who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold , frankincense and myrrh; nevermind the latest meme doing the rounds that if they were wise women, they would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought practical gifts!
And speaking of gifts, even that portly red-robed gift-giver Santa Claus is a throwback to St. Nicholas, who would go from home to home delivering gifts and celebrating the Saviour by spreading love. The stars hanging outside windows and brightening up the night represent the first star of Bethlehem, which shone intensely the night Jesus was born. And lastly, the candy cane exchanged by kids is a mini reminder of the shepherd’s crook; the shepherds grazing their flock were the earliest to receive communication of the birth of Jesus.
On this beautiful Christmas morn, the significance of these festive symbols adds its rare and special sweetness.
