Christmas symbols and their meanings

Christmas symbols such as candles, bells, evergreens and mistletoe, are an integral part of our celebration of festivals. However, many people do not know the meaning of these symbols or how they evolved.

The first known use of bells at Christmas was in the fourth century AD. It is said that Bishop Paulinus of Nola, in Campania, Italy, first ring the bells to celebrate Christmas. The Latin word for Bell, Campanula, just those words.

Candles are used in manycountry at Christmas to symbolize faith. Candles in windows on Christmas Eve to welcome the Christ Child is an old Irish custom. In Norway, the candles have been known to radiate blessings.

The use of evergreens has its roots in pagan festivals. The Romans thought to green branches would bring luck to the new year. The Church has come to accept, because there is a passage in Isaiah, which mentioned the use of fir and pine to the beautification of Godsanctuary.

The custom of decorating a Christmas tree comes from Germany, where legend has it that Martin Luther cut a tree and put it in his house. Then he decorated it with lighted candles, representing the stars.

The poinsettia has been used only as a symbol of Christmas since 1836, when Joel Poinsett, minister to Mexico, brought to his home in South Carolina. Mistletoe is used as decoration, and of course a person standing under his regime can expect to be kissed.This custom in May rose to an old legend that if a girl does not get a kiss under the mistletoe, she will not marry in the next year. The holly that adorn our houses was first used at the beginning of France and England. A branch hanging over the door said a house in which Christ fulfilled.

The custom of gift giving comes from donations to the Child Jesus by the Magi. The gifts they gave to the Child Jesus were symbolic in itself. Now represented royalty, frankincencethe high priesthood, and myrrh the great physician.

Of course, the use of angels, stars and nativity scenes comes directly from the Christmas story told in the Bible.

Suspension downs can be attributed to Saint Nicolas, a bishop of Asia Minor in the fourth century. In one legend, he threw the gold down the chimney of a house where three girls were about to be sold into slavery because of their poor father could not afford a dowry for them. Gold fell in theirbelow, which were suspended by the fire to dry.

Now, when you observe these customs of Christmas, think about their meaning and how they originate.

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