By Charlotte Larcabal and Eric B. Murdock
Lights.
Trees. Stars. Bells. Ever wonder what all these Christmas symbols might mean?
With all the hype of the holidays, you’re sure to see
Christmas decorations everywhere. It’s a huge part of celebrating Christmas!
But have you ever thought about how some of those traditional decorations can
help us get in touch with the true spirit of the season? If we look at them in
the right way, we can allow them to help us remember Jesus Christ in our
Christmas celebrations as Christians have done for centuries.
The Star:
It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without
seeing stars hanging from street lamps or sitting on top of Christmas trees.
The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. It represents
the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. Five years before
Jesus was born, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of the signs of the Savior’s
birth, including the appearance of a bright new star (see Helaman 14:5). The
star led the Wise Men to Jesus (see Matthew 2:2) and reminds us to follow the
light of the Savior just as the Wise Men followed the light of the star to find
Him.
Lights
and Candles:
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles has taught: “Many of our memorable and enduring Christmas traditions
include different kinds of lights—lights on trees, lights in and on our homes,
candles on our tables. May the beautiful lights of every holiday season remind
us of Him who is the source of all light.”1 Christmas lights can remind us that
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. They can also remind us to be lights to
others and to help others come unto Christ.
For centuries, candles have brought brightness and
warmth to the season. Candles can also represent the light of the star that
appeared at the birth of the Savior, and like other lights, remind us that He
is the Light of the World. Did you know candles were often used to decorate Christmas
trees before electric lights were invented?
Trees:
Even before Christ’s birth, trees that stayed green
all year long carried special meaning for people. A green, thriving tree in the
dead of winter reminded people of hope and new life. Because of Jesus Christ,
we can have everlasting life (see 3 Nephi 5:13), so we can choose to see the
evergreen tree as a natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.
Poinsettias:
The poinsettia originates from Mexico, and like the
evergreen tree, it is a plant that thrives during the winter and symbolizes new
life. But it doesn’t stop there! Their shape resembles a star, like the one
that led the Wise Men to Jesus. Red poinsettias can remind us of the blood that
Christ spilled for us. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles taught, “Having bled at every pore, how red [Christ’s] raiment
must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that cloak!”2 white poinsettias can
symbolize His purity (see Moroni 7:48).
Holly:
Because its red berries and prickly green leaves last
all year round, holly is used as a Christmas decoration all over the world. The
sharp edges of the holly leaf can remind us of the crown of thorns placed on
the Savior’s head (see Matthew 27:29). The red holly berry can remind us of His
blood shed for all of us. Christians have long seen these symbols. In fact, in
some Scandinavian languages, the word for holly is “Christ-thorn.”
Wreaths:
Traditionally, wreaths are made of evergreens such as
pine branches or holly. Their circular shape can represent eternity (see
D&C 35:1). Wreaths hung on doors or in windows are like a symbolic
invitation for the spirit of Christmas to fill our homes with the joy of the
season.
Bells:
For centuries, bells have been rung to announce the
arrival of the Christmas season. They can symbolize the announcement of the
birth of Christ when angels in heaven praised God and declared, “Glory to God
in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
Candy
Canes:
Perhaps a better name for the candy cane is “candy
crook.” They can remind us of the staffs carried by the shepherds who visited
the baby Jesus. During Christ’s time, a shepherd’s staff often had a crook, or
bend, at the top that was used to hook sheep by the neck to gently lead them to
food or water or to protect them from harm. As you enjoy a candy cane, remember
that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (see John 10:11, 14). If we choose to
follow Him, He will gently lead us to safety and peace.
Stockings:
If you think about it, it’s a bit strange for someone
to put goodies in your old sock. But like many Christmas traditions, the
tradition of Christmas stockings comes from an old legend. A long time ago (so
the story goes), a poor man had three daughters and couldn’t afford to give
them a dowry (money or goods given to the groom’s family by the bride’s
family). In those days, it was very hard for a woman to get married without a
dowry. A Christian bishop named Nicholas heard about the problem and wanted to
help, but the man refused to accept money. One night, Nicholas threw three
balls made of pure gold in through the open window of the man’s house. Each one
landed in a stocking hung by the fire to dry. The next morning, each daughter
found a gold ball in her stocking. With this bounty, they were all able to get
married. Stockings can remind us of the importance of service. The greatest
example of service is Jesus Christ. He always “went about doing good” (Acts
10:38). Take some time to think about the Savior’s selfless acts of service.
How can you give Christlike service and show kindness to others?
Gifts:
Christmas is the season of giving.Remember the Wise
Men who came to see Jesus? They “presented unto him gifts; gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11), but the greatest gift of all came from
our Heavenly Father: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16). As you open your brightly wrapped presents on
Christmas morning, remember that the Savior is the true gift of Christmas.
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