Christmas marks the advent of bliss all around us. It is time to go around singing Christmas carols and the making of sweets that add on to the festive layout that Christmas brings. It is the season when even the night feels like day. It is also the time when we decorate our houses and our surroundings in order to welcome and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Hence decoration is definitely a must for an occasion like Christmas. Christmas, being a very special occasion, has its own set of decorations that have their own names and have been used for years. There lies deep traditional significance in their color, shape and also the way they are made. Below are a few Christmas decorations that signify Christmas and have been used for centuries:
Christmas Tree:
This is the main symbol that signifies the occasion of Christmas. A pine tree (real or artificial) is used as a Christmas tree by decorating it further and lighting it up. Initially candles were used for lighting which was later replaced by electronic lights. The color green of the Christmas tree represents hope and new life.
A Christmas Tree Topper:
A Christmas tree topper refers to a decorative star or an angel is placed at the top of the Christmas tree. It represents the host of angels or the bright star that appeared on the day of Christmas in the story of Christmas. The most popular tree topper is an angel followed by a big bright star.
Gifts:
Christmas is the time of caring, sharing and giving out presents to our loved ones. Gifts packed in attractive giftwrap paper and a bow, are also placed at the bottom of the Christmas tree or around it to decorate it further. The bow tied across the gifts promotes the feeling of mankind being bonded to one and thus to bring about love and unity amongst each other.
Christmas Stockings:
A Christmas tree also has Christmas stockings hung on its branches. Traditionally gifts were placed into these stockings. It is a myth that Santa Claus himself comes and places gifts into these stockings for the people living in the house where the Christmas tree is placed.
Christmas Star:
This is another very important symbol that signifies Christmas. A Christmas star is placed at the entrance or it is tied at the outlet of the window of a Christian's house. It shows acknowledgment and the welcoming of the coming of Jesus Christ. It also symbolizes the big bright star that had appeared in heaven and informed the three Kings about the birth of Jesus as per the nativity.
Crib:
A crib is a preparation of the placing of statues of Mother Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Statues of other prominent people like the angel, shepherds, animals and the three Kings complete and personify a crib further. The stories and pictures of the birth of Jesus have been produced in Churches and among Christian families for centuries. However the crib in its present form was first made outside a church of St. Francis of Assisi. Since then, cribs have been a common feature present in Christian homes at the advent of Christmas.
Candy Cane:
A candy cane that resembles a walking stick represents the Shepherd's staff. It comes from the term "The Good Shepherd" that was given to Jesus Christ. Traditionally the color of the stick is white with slanting red stripes. The meaning is that just like how a shepherd watches over his flock of sheep, Jesus watches over us all the time.
Tinsel:
The word tinsel comes from the French word "estincele" which means sparkle. Tinsel is a type of garland which is used to decorate homes during Christmas. Initially tinsel was made of metal. Later on metal got replaced with many other substitutes like plastic. It is used to decorate Christmas trees or just hung from the ceiling or along the walls. Since it is really flexible it can be wrapped around anything to change its look instantly. Studies show that tinsel was first made in Germany of silver.
Christmas Holly leaves:
It refers to a bunch of artificial holly leaves with two of three red hollies in the middle and the branch. It is used to decorate houses during Christmas. As per history, the red berries symbolize the drops of the blood that Jesus shed to save us from our sins. The prickly leaves of the Christmas holly represent the thorny crown that was worn by Jesus Christ when he was crucified on the cross. Studies also states that the branch of the holly signifies the wood used to build the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
Snow-Globe:
A snow globe is a transparent spherical sphere made of glass used for Christmas decorations. Usually a landscape or miniature of some beautiful scenery is confined within the globe. Water is also enclosed inside this globe. It is through the medium of water that the 'snow' falls. In order to activate the falling of the snow, the globe has to be shaken. As the globe is placed, the snow particles spread all over the inside of the globe resemble a snowfall and very slowly it surfaces at the bottom of the globe.
Christmas Lights:
Christmas Lights are a sign of happiness, hope and celebration. On an occasion like Christmas, the whole place is lit up to add to the gaiety surrounding the atmosphere. Christmas lights are a chain of different colored lights attached to each other by a wire. In ancient days, Christians were persecuted and not allowed to perform Catholic practices. Hence a single candle placed outside a house or alongside the window was a sign that prayers were being conducted so that others also could join in.
Candle:
A single candle can bring light to a dark room. Similarly a single ray of hope can bring life to a dead person. The Christmas candle signifies hope. In the first week on the advent of Christmas a single candle is lit. It increases to two candles in the second week. In the third week three candles are lit and four candles are lit in the fourth week. In the heart of a Christian, a candle represents Jesus who is the light of the world. It also represents the victory of light over darkness or good over evil.
An Angel:
The Christmas angel who varies in size could be used as a Christmas tree topper or could also be used as a wall hanging in the house. The term angel means "messenger" in Greek. The Angel signifies the host of angels that appeared in the sky to the shepherds and the kings and brought them the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ as per the story of Christmas. The wings of an angle represent protection, innocence and purity.
A Christmas Bell:
A bell is used to decorate houses for Christmas. It could be placed any where in the house like on the main entrance, as a center-piece on a table top, on a Christmas tree or anywhere else to add to the beauty of Christmas. Shepherds used bells to search for their sheep and to guide them where to go. It is believed that Jesus is "A Good Shepherd" and just like a shepherd guides and looks after his sheep, Jesus guides and looks after each of us. Thus a bell symbolized guidance, return to God and the happiness that follows. Christmas bells are remembered in classic Christmas carols like "Jingle Bells" and "Silver Bells".
A Christmas Wreath:
A circle is never-ending and has no end and so is a Christmas wreath. A Christmas wreath is in the shape of a circle symbolizing Jesus' eternal love for us. It is made up of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs etc and resembles a ring showing commitment. It is used as a Christmas decoration as it signifies the coming of Christ also known as the Advent of Christianity.
A proper understanding of the above Christmas decorations gives us a new meaning to ponder on the next time we decorate our houses for Christmas. It is both interesting and also teaches us the true meaning of Christmas and the real purpose of decorating our houses. More over it teaches us the values of love, understanding and hope.
