What do our Christmas traditions and symbols mean?

What do our Christmas traditions and symbols mean?

I appreciated these reminders of what our Christmas symbols mean, so that even though I know not everyone may think of these things in relation to Christmas stars, red and green, etc., at least I can be reminded of why Christmas is so important when I view these symbols. I am so grateful for the birth, life & example, sacrifice & resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

STAR: A sign of promise. God had promised a Savior for the world and the star was a sign of fulfillment of that promise.

RED: The first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood that was shed for them by the Savior. Red is a symbol of the gift of God.

CHRISTMAS TREE: Green is the second color of Christmas. The pure green color of the fir tree stays green year round. This represents our promise of everlasting life. All the needles point upward, just as our thoughts should point toward Heaven.

THE BELL: The lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell. The bell can encourage men to 'return to the fold'. All are precious in the sight of the Lord.

THE CANDLE: The candle 'shows man's thanks for that star of long ago'. Originally, candles were placed on trees and in windows to remind them of the star of David. Now we use lights instead of candles, but they hold the same meaning.

THE BOW: The bow tied around each gift reminds us that 'we should all be tied to our brothers in the bonds of goodwill to each other'. The bow sends us a message of good will forever.

THE CANDY CANE: The Shepherd's staff. The crook on the staff brings strayed sheep back to the flock. The candy cane symbolizes that we are our brother's keeper.

THE WREATH: The eternal nature of love. 'It never ceases, stops, or ends. It is a continuous round of love, like eternity.'

SANTA CLAUS: 'The gift of love and of life, the ending of evil, the ceasing of strife.'