Latest update May 24th, 2026 12:45 AM
Dec 25, 2012 News
Many persons these days argue that Christmas is a merchant’s holiday. They have suggested that the idea of Christmas surrounds the material things that accompany the holiday – not to mention the hefty price list that
comes with it.
There are, of course, numerous notable features and items associated with Christmas. According to teachings, Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, son of the Virgin Mary and the Shepherd Joseph.
His coming, it is taught, was to save the world and to purge the people of their evil ways. As such, the birth of Christ (Christmas) is said to be the most important event of every year. But some have opined that Christmas would be nothing without its garnishes and emblems.
Without these features, what would Christmas be? What would be the representation of this magnificent holiday which never seems to lose its glitter, shine and excitement year after year? It is because of certain Christmas symbols some say that the holiday seems especially significant and enlightening, especially to the children.
Most loved by the young is the Christmas tree. Across the world, people spend large sums of money to purchase them. The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early modern Germany with predecessors that can be traced to the 16th and possibly the 15th century, in which “devout Christians” brought decorated trees into their homes. It acquired popularity beyond Germany during the second half of the 19th century. The Christmas tree has also been known as the “Yule tree”, especially in discussions of its folkloristic origins.
An Angel or star atop of the Christmas tree represents the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity. That is the angels that were present in Bethlehem during the birth of Christ.
Candy canes, is a cane-shaped hard candy stick associated with Christmas. It is traditionally white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint; but is also made in a variety of other flavours and colours.
And then there are the candles. One of the earliest records of candles being used at Christmas is from the middle ages, where a large candle was used to represent the star of Bethlehem. Jesus is sometimes called ‘the Light of the World’ by Christians. Candles were also originally used to decorate Christmas until safer electric lights were invented.
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