The Christmas Symbols

Mistletoe, Holly. Two hundred years before Christ was born, the Druids used mistletoe to celebrate the coming winter. They believed the mistletoe, a parasitic plant, had special healing powers. Scandinavians also thought of it as a plant of peace and harmony. They linked it with Krigga, their godess of love.

The custom of kissing under the mistletoe probably draws from this belief. It was of course, banned by the early church because of its unholy roots. But, church fathers suggested the use of holly as an appropriate substitute.

Poinsettias. The poinsettia, a native of Mexico, was named after America’s first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett, about 1828. The Mexicans in the 18th century thought the showy plants were symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem. Thus, it became the official Yuletide flower. The actual flowers are small and yellow. The loud red petals are actually leaves.

Christmas Tree. In the 16th century, it was common for Germanic people to decorate fir trees with real roses, apples, and colored paper. Fake copies can be found in 21st century trees. It is believed that Martin Luther was the first to light a Christmas tree came to Britain in the 19th century and to America, by way of the Pennsylvania Germans in the 1820’s; Introduced in America by Helssiah soldiers in 1776 during American Revolution.

Nativity Scene (Belen). Embodies the reason why the son of God came down to be with us to serve and not to be served.

Candy Cane. In the late 800s, a candy maker in Indiana wanted to express the meaning of Christmas through a symbol made of candy.

He came up with the idea of bending one of his white candy sticks into the shape of candy cane. It incorporated many symbols of Christ’s love and sacrifice: white for purity and sinlessness; three small stripes for pain inflicted upon Jesus before his death and to represent the Holy Trinity; and a bold red stripe for the blood Jesus shed.

When looked at with the crook on top, it looks like a shepherd’s staff for Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Upside down, it becomes the letter J for the first letter in Jesus name.

Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was the original Santa C who was born in Turkey in the fourth century. He was pious and was noted for his generosity to the poor and love for children. The Dutch kept the legend of St. Nicholas alive.

In the 16th century Holland, Dutch children would place their wooden shoes by the hearth in hopes that they would be filled with treats. The Dutch spelled St. Nicholas as Sint Nikolaas, which became corrupted to Sinterklass, and finally, in Anglican, to Santa Clause.

In 1822, Clemente C. Moore wrote the poem “A Visit from St. Nick.” Moore is credited with creating a modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly fat man in a red suit.

Star of Bethlehem. As the most important symbol which sewed as a guide for the 3 wise men, so we see this star on the top of the Christmas tree.

Christmas card. Giving who started by Sir Henry Cole in England, this is to show our love ones and friends we care.

Caroling. As a Christmas activity to remind us that Christmas is a celebration.

Why Xmas? It has to be of Greek origin and it is. Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using ‘X’ in place of word Christ in “Christmas” as shorthand for the word.

Although the early converts understood that X meant, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook ‘Xmas’ as a sign of disrespect. (Researcher: Tes Saravia)

Sources:
Lessons of Christmas by Dr. Daniel A. Armah
http://wilstar.com/xmas/xmassymb.htm
http://enghunan.gov.cn/SP/Christmas/ChristmasInside/