Symbols of Christmas

Christmas

Guest Columnist

Father Michael Bergeron

A lot of people are concerned about Christmas. We are barely finished with Thanksgiving and get up the next morning at 6 a.m. to start shopping. People say it is too commercial and we have taken the religious significance out of the celebration. But is that really right? Or has the religious significance always been there and we simply fail to see it. If we take a closer look at the symbols of Christmas we might be surprised to find Christ everywhere.

The Date of Christmas

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

The idea to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 originated in the 4th century. The Catholic Church wanted to eclipse the festivities of a rival pagan religion that threatened Christianity’s existence. On Dec. 25, the Romans celebrated the birthday of their sun god. Although it was not popular, or even proper, to celebrate people’s birthdays in those times, church leaders decided that in order to compete with the pagan celebration, they would themselves order a festival in celebration of the birth of Christ. Although the actual season of Jesus’ birth is thought to be the spring, the date of Dec. 25 was chosen as the official birthday celebration to compete head on with the rival pagan celebration.

Xmas must remember where Xmas comes from. That abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ’s name, “X” in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that “X” stood for Christ’s name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook “Xmas” as a sign of disrespect. But the Christians

was brought to this country by Germanspeaking immigrants. The tree is an “evergreen” and is one of the few trees that does not die (lose its leaves) in winter. For this reason, it is a symbol of everlasting life, the precious gift from Jesus to all believers. Not long ago, our Holy Father gave instructions that a Christmas tree be displayed in St. Peter’s Square during the Holy

“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are who is our life. The Christmas tree the Christ, the Son of the living God’” tradition was brought to America by (Matthew 16:16). Pennsylvania Germans in the l820s. People often complain that they have taken Christ out of Christmas. But we The Star Season celebrating the birth of Christ, were using it in the highest respect, “The star which they had observed even making an “X” on their graves. at its rising went ahead of them until We should not be too worried about it came to a standstill over the place Xmas. Christ is still there. where the child was” (Matthew 2:2). The Christmas Tree One of the most popular symbols of

“Then shall all the trees of the forest Christmas is the star. Many people top exalt before the Lord, for he comes to their tree with a star or place a star rule the earth” (Psalm 96:12). that is brightly lit over their homes. It

The tradition of the Christmas tree was the star which led the Magi to a December 2020 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 43

Christmas

the humble crib of the new born King. The magi were the first non-Jewish people to visit Christ and they represented all people outside the nation of Israel. The star can remind us that we are invited to come to Christ and to offer our gifts and talents to him. In a sense, the Christmas Star is God’s invitation to offer ourselves to the Father of all people and nations and to adore him.

The Gifts

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Matthew 2:2).

There were three gifts brought by the Magi to the baby Jesus. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold was the most precious of all metals which symbolized the preciousness of the child. Frankincense was a type of incense which was used by the priestly caste in the temples and symbolized the baby as the high priest of all humanity. Myrrh was a valuable and aromatic spice. It comes from a large bush with a thin bark. It appears when the bark is pierced and turns red, symbolizing the blood which will be shed when the side of Jesus is pierced. Myrrh was also used to prepare a body for burial. It was a premonition of the future of this baby in the manger.

Tradition tells us that the gifts brought by the Magi were later sold to pay for Mary, Joseph and Jesus’ escape to Egypt. Tradition also tells us that the name of the three Magi were Melchoir, the old man with white hair and a white beard, Balthazar, young and fair, and Gaspar, who was black.

The Angel

“The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people’” (Luke 2:9-10).

An angel appeared to the shepherds to announce the good news that a savior had been born who is the Messiah and Lord. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). Angels play an important role in the Christmas story and the story of our salvation. An angel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would bear a child. An angel appeared to Joseph to assure him of Mary’s faithfulness. The angels appeared to the shepherds in the field, and, finally, an angel appeared to Joseph to tell him to flee to Egypt. Angels are truly a part of the Christmas story.

Santa Claus also known as Saint Nicholas

“In giving alms do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Keep your deeds of mercy secret” (Matthew 6:3-4).

Santa Claus seems to overshadow the true meaning of Christmas and there’s a sad irony in this since he is really Saint Nicholas. He was born in Turkey in the 4th century. “Nicholas” in German is “Klaus,” just as “Santa” is “Saint” in European languages. He was generous to the poor and always gave gifts secretly, we are told. The Romans held him in contempt and he was imprisoned and tortured. But when Constantine became a Christian he was released.

Saint Nicholas was especially noted for his love of children and his generosity. In imitation of him, anonymous gift-giving at Christmas time began. In his life, Saint Nicholas reflected God’s gift of grace to all. Today, this beautiful tradition has been grossly commercialized. All is not lost however, if we take the time to explain the Christian origin of this great historic figure we call Santa Claus.

Today’s popular image of Santa Clause as a jolly at man in a red suit comes from a poem written in 1822 by Clement C. Moore called “A Visit from St. Nick,” and later published as “The Night Before Christmas.”

The Wreath

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is laid up for me the crown which the Lord will award to me on that day, and not only to me but to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7).

In ancient Rome and Greece, athletes and heroes were rewarded with wreaths as trophies in sports or military battle. “To the victory goes the crown” meant that the winners received a a

wreath and were paraded before the people. Christ’s victory over evil on the cross is also symbolized by a wreath.

The Candy Cane

Christmas

“The shepherds said to one another: Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this event which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15).

On that sacred night when Jesus was born, in a stable near the hillsides of Bethlehem, some shepherds were invited by the angel to go and see the newborn Messiah of Israel. After Mary and Joseph, they were the first people on earth to adore this infant savior. Their crooked shepherd staffs have been memorialized in the candy canes which decorate our Christmas trees and fill the stockings of children. The white represents the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus. The red represents his blood and the strips he received when he was beaten at the crucifixion. The candy is hard to represent the solid rock on which the foundation of the church is built.

And if you turn it upside down, it forms a “J” to represent the name of Jesus, the savior of the world.

Ornaments

“I myself am the living bread which has come down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread he will live forever” (John 6:51).

Decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments comes from an old European custom when ornaments were made from cookies and bread. These were hung on the tree in thanks for “our daily bread.” They meant a special Christmas treat for the children, too. Through the years these edible decorations began to be made of carved wood and blown glass. The tradition of edible decorations is still carried on when we give and share special Christmas breads and foods, like fruitcake, with friends and relatives.

The Apple

“Just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will come to life again. Each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).

We often use apples to stuff children’s Christmas stockings and to hang on our Christmas tree as decorations. Yet few of us realize that the apple also has a Christian meaning. It stands

Christmas Colors

“Blessed is he whose hope is in the Lord his God, the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever” (Psalm 146:56).

Red and green are the colors most used at Christmas time. In the tradition of the church, these colors have special meaning. Red symbolizes the blood of Christ and the martyrs who loved God and remained faithful to him. Green is the color of hope and has always been a sign of life and growth in nature. It is the evergreen color of eternal life. Love and hope are very much part of the Christmas story, for God became human to prove his deep love for us and give us hope of eternal life.

Holly

for the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Paradise and therefore, the first sin and the sin of all humanity. Although the apple recalls “They made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. Kneeling before him they mocked him, saying: Hail King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29-30).this sad event, it also reminds us of the Garlands and sprigs of holly are happy outcome – the good news that used to adorn our homes, churches and Christ is the new Adam who saved us public places. The colorful green leaves from sin. The church sings: “O happy and red berries bring an air of festivity, fault which merited such a redeemer!” yet they bear a deeper message a December 2020 • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • Bayou Catholic • 45

Christmas

than simple decoration. Long ago, the sharp thorns of the bush and the red berries reminded Christians of the suffering for which the infant Messiah was destined. They saw in the thorns the crown which would pierce his head. The berries reminded them of the blood Jesus would shed.

Christmas Bells

“I come to proclaim good news to you, tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people” (Luke 2:10).

School bells call children to classrooms and church bells call millions of people to worship. Bells alert people to important happenings, saying: “listen, take notice!” Bells are also a favorite symbol of Christmas. “Silver Bells,” “The Bells of St. Mary,” and the little bell on the Christmas tree in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” are all part of our Christmas tradition. The bells of Christmas have a special meaning, for they sing out: “Your Savior is at hand, your freedom from sin is here!” What a joyous message, what a beautiful sound!

Poinsettias

Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They were named after America’s first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett. He brought the plants to America in 1828. The Mexicans in the eighteenth century thought the plants were symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem. Thus the Poinsettia became associated with the Christmas season. The actual flower of the poinsettia is small and yellow. But surrounding the flower are large, bright red leaves, often mistaken for petals.

The Christmas Candle

I am the light of the world. No follower of mine shall ever walk in darkness, but he shall possess the light of life” (John 8:12).

Candles have long been part of the tradition of the church. At baptism the parents of the child are handed a small white candle and told: “Receive the Light of Christ, may you keep the flame of faith burning brightly in this child who is a new creation.” The candles we burn brightly at Christmas remind us of our own baptism and our own adoption as God’s children. They equally symbolize Christ who is our iight in the darkness. Our prayers symbolically rise to heaven with the smoke from the candles.

The Word Christmas

This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

The word we hear and see often through this season is “Christmas.” But few people are aware of its origin. It is a combination of two Latin words: Christus and missus. These two words mean: “Christ is sent.” Sent where?

Christmas

Into the world by the loving Father who, like Hallmark, only wishes to give his children the very best – his only Son.

The Nativity Scene

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The first nativity scene was constructed by St. Francis in the year 1223. His nativity, however, consisted of live animals, people and a real baby. However, Jesus was actually born in a cave and the manger (which was a feeding trough) was probably carved from the rock. The French pronunciation of manger means “to eat.” “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, he broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26).

So our faith is all around us during this season. If you feel that Christmas is too commercial, then look around you and appreciate the season. There is Christ in Christmas everywhere. Some of us simply fail to see it. Christmas can be commercial or it can be spiritual. It is what you make it! BC

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