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Angels remind
us of the angels that told Mary that she would conceive a son
and name Him Jesus because He would save His people from their
sins. |
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The star reminds
us of the “Star of Bethlehem” that the Magi followed to find
the baby Jesus. |
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Christmas Trees
point upward to God who made them. They are made from evergreen
which represents the everlasting life Jesus gave us. The green
shows how we can grow in the new life that we have after accepting
Christ as Lord into our heart. |
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Gifts remind
us of the free gift God gave - His only son Jesus who would
later die on the cross for our sins. They also symbolize the
gifts of the Magi from the east, and our giving nature at Christmas
time as "it is better to give than receive". |
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The Creche (a
life sized Nativity scene with live animals) was first thought
of by Saint Francis of Assisi. It spread from Europe to everywhere
in homes, and Churches. |
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A candymaker named
Olaf in the village of Ostendorf who loved the children in his
town wanted to create a candy that he could share with everyone
the true meaning of Christmas. Pointed up (like picture) it
is a staff of the “Good Shepherd” who protects us (John 10:11).
If you turn the Candy Cane over it is a J for Jesus (Matthew
1:21). The dark red stripe shows Jesus' blood that he would
give for us on the Cross (John 19:34). The two smaller stripes
are for the stripes on Jesus' back when he was beaten by the
Roman soldiers (Isaiah 53:5) and all three stripes remind us
of the Holy Trinity, and God’s power (3 strands are not quickly
broken). The stripes go around and around the Candy Cane never
ending – showing us the everlasting life brought by Jesus that
never ends. The white part of the candy represents the pure
”Lamb of God” (Jesus) who was perfectly. The hardness
of the cane reminds us that Jesus is the "Rock" (Psalm 31:3). |
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The Wreath is an
unbroken circle symbolizing eternal life, the evergreen also
is a sign of the everlasting life that Jesus brought to us.
Holly is used as a symbol of victory and Christians use holly
to show that Christ has come to dwell in their house. The red
berries represent his blood that he was born to give for us.
The bow reminds us of God’s free gift - Jesus. |
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Saint
Nicholas born in Patras, in Asia Minor (now Turkey) was very
kind, and interested in the Holy Scriptures. When his parents
died, he decided to give his inheritance to the less fortunate.
He died on December 6 which many European countries celebrate
as a holiday. His name in different countries: Germany - Knecht
Ruprecht, France- P'ere Fouettard, Dutch - Sinterklass (where
we get the name Santa Claus). England - Father Christmas, Costa
Rica - el nino Jesus, In Sweden gifts are brought by his elf
Tomate on a sleigh pulled by goats. In Holland he arrives in
Amsterdam by boat. |
