Christmas Symbols

My cousin Ashley gave the Relief Society lesson in church today. (She did a great job!)

For part of her lesson she told us the meanings behind some of the Christmas symbols. I had forgotten many of these.

*Candy cane - made by a Christian confectioner as a reminder of the Shepherd’s staff. They were red and white - red for the blood shed by Jesus Christ, white for His purity.


*The Wreath - God is the Alpha and Omega. He is everlasting. His kingdom knows no beginning and no end. (Revelation 1:8)


*The Lights - "Jesus, the Light of the world." (John 8:12)

"The Lord shall be thy everlasting light." (Isaiah 60:20)

"The Lord is my light and my salvation." (Psalm 27:1)


*The Holly - crown of thorns (see red & green below)


*The Star - marks the place where the Christ Child lay. (Matthew 2:10)

*Christmas Tree- Symbol of the Jesse Tree. Jesse was the father of King David. He had 8 sons and 2 daughters. It is from his lineage that the Christ Child receives his earthly ancestry.” (Isaiah 11:1-2)

Symbolizes life. The tree was Christianized in the 4th century during the reign of Emperor Constantine. The pagan celebration of the Saturnalia was replaced with Christmas on Dec. 25th. ("Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" - Romans 12:21)

- All nature rejoices at the birth of the Savior

- The Lord is like "an evergreen tree" Hosea 14:8


*Santa Claus - Eastern European name for Saint Nicholas. He tossed pouches with gold coins through the windows of needy people in his town. He was Orthodox Christian Archbishop of Myra in Asia Minor in the 3rd Century. Patron Saint of secret giving, of children, and of travelers by sea. His Feast Day is celebrated on December 6th.
But in reality, it is Jesus who gives all good gifts and we must be careful to give credit to whom credit is due. Too many children have become hysterical when they find out that their parents bolding lied to them about Santa Claus. If you lie to them about Santa, they may also wonder what else about Christmas is also a lie.
*Angels - proclaim the birth of the Savior. (Luke 2:10)


*CHRISTMAS COLORS

Red - Christ's blood shed for our sin. (John 19:34)

Green - We have eternal life in Christ. (John 3:16-17)

White - The purity of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Gold - The Kingship and Royalty of Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7)