The year has almost come to an end when everyone is waiting the long
overdue holiday, after a period of hard work. This holiday period means
different things to different people, for some it is a time of festivities
while for others just a break to spend with family or just to relax.
We have all heard of Christmas, either because of our religion or because
our friends celebrate it or because it is celebrated all over the world. What
comes to one’s mind when one thinks of ‘Christmas’? Good food, time with
family, presents, Christmas tree, snow, Santa Claus, nativity and so much more.
Good food, time spent with family/friends we understand, but where do the
other things come from? Do they have some meaning or some history? Does it come
from some culture? Some superstition or some tradition handed down through
generations?
We in this little piece want to find roots or origin of a few symbols
related to this globally celebrated festival – Christmas.
Let’s start with the basics:
1. Christmas – we do not need to be Christians to know that this word comes
from Christ, who is the Son of God - Jesus. It commemorates his day of birth.
As we all know it is celebrated on the 25th of December, though the
Bible does not mention the exact date, Pope Julius I, set this date in an
attempt to Christianize the Pagans in the 4th century.
Ancient pagans were hunters and spent
most of their time outdoors. The seasons and weather played a very important
part in their lives and because of this they worshipped, the sun. These people
saw the sun as a wheel that changed the seasons. It was from the word for this
wheel, houl, that the word yule (another
name for Christmas) is thought to have come. At Winter Solstice they lit
bonfires, told stories and drank sweet ale.
2. Crib – the dictionary describes this word as a child’s bed or a
cot. For the Christians the Crib is the most important symbol of Christmas
celebration. It symbolizes the events that occurred on the actual day of Jesus’
birth.
This story begins with a young God-fearing
girl, Mary who is engaged to be married to a carpenter, Joseph. Now Mary was
expecting a child, and the males of that town were expected to go to Jerusalem for
Census. On the way Mary goes into labor and they stop in a little town called Bethlehem where she gives birth to Jesus in a
stable. Jesus’ birth draws different people, be it angels or wise men, shepherds
or cattle.
3. Christmas tree – not any tree is used as a Christmas tree, it is the
Fir tree that adorns the homes of many. Fir tree symbolizes the tree of life in
the Garden of Eden. The evergreen fir tree is a sign
of hope throughout the winter season--hope in the promise that the rest of
nature too will awaken to new life in the coming spring. For the Christians it
represents hope for everlasting life through Jesus Christ.
4. Ornaments – the Christmas tree is decked up with different adornments. Each figurine has a meaning.
·
Star: represents the bright star
that shone the night Jesus was born and aided the three wise men to find him.
·
Gifts: represent the offerings of the three wise men- gold,
frankincense and myrrh.
·
Holly Berries: represent the blood of Christ.
·
Wreath: represents the crown of thorns that was worn by
Jesus.
·
Bells: represents the call for mankind to worship the Lord.
·
Lights or Candles: represent the light Jesus brought
in the world.
5. Carols – the word carol originally meant to
dance to something. They were sung by the Pagans thousands of years ago, during
the winter solstice (shortest day of the year). They were not Christmas carols
but the Christians adapted this tradition to their faith.
6. Carolers - represent the multitude of angels that sang on the night
of Jesus’ birth.
7.
Santa Claus - Santa brings us all together! Kids all over the
world know who Santa is... A merry old man with red and white clothes, eight
flying reindeer, later joined by Rudolph
the red nosed reindeer. A home located near the North Pole. Who has a habit of filling
socks or stockings with presents on the night of December 24th,
bringing in the idea of giving that reminds us; we are all on this planet
together, for the long run.
We hope that this piece helped you
understand the meaning and spirit of this celebration better. Regardless of the
faith we profess, we all gear up to take part in this festivity.
Wishing
everybody a joyous, prosperous
and peaceful
Christmas and New Year!!
