Christmas Symbols

Christmas Symbols: The Origin of Different Symbols of Christmas

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th of each year. It is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The word "Christmas" means "Christ's Mass" - derived from the English term "Christes masse". American customs come from many places. Santa Claus has a Dutch origin. He was developed from St. Nicholas who was a real person. St. Nicholas was the patron saint of school boys. He brought gifts to the children. The idea that Santa Claus comes down the chimney originated in Norway, where children hang Christmas stockings on the fireplace mantel. Christmas trees have pagan origins. When pagans became Christian, they used evergreens (a sacred tree) for the holiday by decorating them with nuts and candles. They sang Christmas carols as they danced around the Christmas tree.

Advent Wreath: Four candles placed on a wreath. One candle is lit each Sunday before Christmas in anticipation of Christ's birthday.

Bells: Church Bells rang to announce the birth of Jesus. They still ring today.

Candles: Candles represent the light that Jesus brought to earth. Pagans who converted to Christianity used candles on the sacred evergreen tree.

Christmas Cards: For many years, private notes of good tidings were sent at Christmas time. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole had 1000 special designed cards printed. The custom of sending Christmas cards began.

Christmas Caroling: Caroling is a medieval custom of singing and dancing around a Christmas tree. Early carols weren't holy enough for singing inside a church, so caroling was done outside.

Christmas Cookies: Originated with pre-Christian Romans who gave sweet cakes to their senators.

Christmas Seals: A Danish postal clerk sold Christmas stamps (Christmas seals) to show that users had given to a worthy cause.

Christmas Stocking: There is a legend associated with the origin of Christmas Stockings. St. Nick, who wanted to remain anonymous and help a poor family, threw gold coins down their chimney. They fell into a stocking that was hanging there to dry.

Christmas Tree Lights: The lights represent Christ as being the "Light of the World." Lights also represent stars. Candles were first used as lights on the Christmas tree.

Donkeys, Lambs, and Cows: Donkeys, lambs, and cows were animals close to Jesus at the time of his birth.

Evergreen Tree: The evergreen tree was decorated by the pagans at the feast of the winter solstice. The evergreen tree was a sign that winter would end.

Gifts: The first Christmas gifts were given by the Wisemen to Baby Jesus.

Holly: Holly is a shrub with spiny leaves and red berries. The leaves remain green throughout the year. Pagans thought its greenness was a promise that the sun would return. Early French and English families hung holly over their doors to symbolize a home in which Christ's birth is celebrated.

Icicles: Icicles are sometimes used as a tree decoration. As per an old story, the Christ child took shelter for a night under a pine tree. When the tree realized that it was caring for Jesus, tears of happiness fell from its branches. The tears froze into icicles.

Manger: A cow's manger is the place where Baby Jesus slept.

Mince Meat Pie: Mince meat pie is full of spices and fruits. It represents the exotic treasures of the East that the Wisemen brought to Jesus.

Mistletoe: Was used by pre Christian Druids to celebrate the coming winter, often decorating their homes with it. Scandinavians also celebrated with mistletoe, associating with their goddess of love. Kissing under the mistletoe may have originated from this belief. Early Christians banned the use of mistletoe in Christmas celebrations, feeling it was inappropriate. Holly was substituted.

Plum Pudding: Plum pudding originated by an English king that was stranded in a blizzard one Christmas Eve. He used what he could find to make a special holiday dish.

Poinsettia: This flower was brought to the U.S. by Dr, J.R. Poinsett in 1825. He was the first United States ambassador to Mexico. Mexicans thought that the plants symbolized the Star of Bethlehem. There is a myth that the Christ-child turned a gift of weeds into a beautiful flower - the poinsettia.

Reindeer: Reindeer were the animals chosen by St. Nicholas to pull his sleigh. His reindeers' names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Rudolf the Red -nosed Reindeer is the most famous.

Saint Nicholas: Saint Nicholas was a real person. He was a kind bishop who brought presents to children and needy people.

Star: The Star of Bethlehem guided the Three Wisemen to Baby Jesus.

Tinsel: There is a legend associated with this thin metallic foil strip decoration. It tells about parents who trimmed a tree while their children were sleeping. Spiders came to see the tree, leaving cobwebs all over it. The Christ Child came to bless the tree and turned the cobwebs to silver.

Three Wisemen: Three Wiseman travelled far to see Jesus. They brought their best treasures for gifts. Gold - a precious metal associated with the power of kings Frankincense - A resin from a rare and sacred tree used as incense Myrrh - A resin from a shrub used in making perfume.

Wassail: A wassail is a salutation of good health or well wishes by means of a toast. The drink is a mixture of mulled eggs, curdled cream, apples, nuts, and spices. Usually poured from a punch bowl while exchanging Christmas greeings.

Xmas: Originated in Greece. In Greek, "Xristos" is the word for Christ. Europeans began using "X" as shorthand for Christ's name.

Yule Log: The word "yule" means "wheel," a symbol representing the sun. Before Jesus was born, pagans thought the sun stood still for 12 days at the end of the year. A log was cut large enough to burn for this time period to burn away last year's evil.