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The Wreath
The Wreath which is traditionally displayed on the front door of a home during the weeks of Advent and the Christmas season once was a multiple role.
The wreath is intertwined with red ribbons which is done to express the festive spirit, while its evergreen leaves were symbolic of the everlasting life promised to the faithful by the birth of Jesus Christ. The circular shape was a reminder of the crown of thorns placed on His head by the Roman soldiers when they ridiculed Him as the 'king of the Jews'. Another reason for the wreath being used as part of celebrations related to the god Bacchus, whose worshippers were thought to have worn circular ivy crowns.
Another practical purpose for the wreath was that the evergreen boughs were believed to protect a home from evil spirits, which were thought to be plentiful during this dark time of the year. During the Middle Ages the red berries of holly were believed to keep witches out of the home; this is why holly became the traditional and lucky evergreen for the wreath-making.
Bells
Bells being rung on Christmas morning has been and is done to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
A legend that has been told is that the bells were rung for an hour before midnight on the first Christmas eve, this was said to have been done to warm the forces of darkness of the imminent birth of the Saviour. At the stroke of midnight, the peal of the bells changed pitch into a joyous peal.
The bells sounding was also for another purpose as well. Just as bells are tolled to announce the death of someone they were also rung to tell the 'death' of the Devil which was brought upon by the coming of Jesus Christ. The church bell was also known as 'the Old Lad's Passing bell', 'Old Lad' which was said to be a euphenism for Satan. The bells pealing has also been assumed to chase away evil spirits, which are said to be repelled by noise of any kind.
There are many types of Christmas bells for the season. They can be heard on Christmas morning, they are used as decoration on Christmas cards as well as on the Christmas tree. Wassailers would use them to announce their presence by ringing them, so did Father Christmas, with jingling bells accompanying his sleigh progress.
The Star
The star placed at the very top of the Christmas tree recalls the one seen by the three wise men 'in the East' at the time of Jesus Christ's birth, the star that 'went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was'
Matthew 2:1-12.
In many parts of the world today celebration of the Christian holiday has begun with the appearance of the first star on Christmas Eve.
In Poland this signals the beginning of the Festival of the Star. After the Christmas Eve meal, the priest of the village, as the "Star Man", goes around and tests the children's religious knowledge. In parts of Alaska boys and girls carry a star figure from house to house, singing carols and hoping for treats or to be invited in to dinner. In Hungary a star-shaped pattern in an apple cut in half means good luck. A break in the pattern is suppose to mean illness.
To Christians the Christmas star is suppose to express the ideals held out by Jesus, called in the Bible "the bright and morning star."
Stars in general have a special meaning, as they are sharing the heavens, no matter what barriers keep them apart on earth.
Candles
The lighting of candles at Christmas originated far back in time when it was part of early sun worship: like bonfires, candles were lit in the depths of winter in an attempt to magically strengthen the weakened sun.
The Church tried to stamp this ancient custom out, but, instead it invested the lighting of the candles with a new meaning. Candles were lit so it is said to symbolise the divine light that was believed to illuminate the world. Another tradition is that candles were meant to recall the lights people lit in their windows at the time of Jesus Christ's birth, so as to let Mary and Joseph know that they would be welcome in their homes.
Another association of the lighting of candles was the period in Irish history when the Catholic religion was banned. A Catholic family would signal when it was safe for a priest to come in their home to celebrate Mass by placing a lighted candle in the window. It is in this way Christmas candles are a silent tribute to those people of all faiths, who, have faced persecution and who have remained loyal to their beliefs.
Tinsel
Glittering tinsel is used to decorate the Christmas tree to symbolise light. Light in all forms was thought to be magic enough to ensure that the forces of darkness would not have any power.
A Christian legend given for the origins of tinsel is that a poor widow was determined to have a memorable Christmas for her family that all she possessed was a tree. She spent many hours decorating it and finally fell asleep. Later in the night spiders wove webs all over the tree's branches. As a reward for the widow's unselfishness, the Christ-child changed the spider webs into shining silver threads.
Another legend was that as a child Jesus Christ once decorated a tree. He was assisted by angels whose hair was caught on the branches as they departed, it turned into tinsel.
Baubles and Apples
Apples in some parts of the world are used to decorate trees, stems from the apple's associations with the Tree of Life in Paradise. According to popular belief, though the Bible never actually says so, this was an apple tree.
Baubles are said to be replicas of the fruit. But are mostly just colorful ornaments which contribute to the festive spirit in a home. They also reflect light, which gives a multiplying effect of the candles and lights.
Christmas Colors
There are many colors assocaited with Christmas such as the red of holly berries, of Santa Claus or Father Christmas outfit; the green of fir tre4es; the gold of candles and stars; the whiteness of snowy fields.
Red
is the color that is considered the greatest excitement, and is also the color of the month December. As the religious symbol it stands for fire, blood and charity.
Green
is the symbol for nature, youth and the hope of eternal life. It is for this reason that Christmas is a feast of hope, with a newborn child as its central symbol.
White
is the religious symbol which stands for light, purity, joy and glory. White is seen in the robes of Christmas angels, in Santa's beard and suit trimmings, as well as in Christmas snow and snow flakes.
In Northern Europe and in some of America, snow covers the ground at Christmas. In southern California roses are blooming. In the warmer climate but the snow is artificial, so as to show the link with the Northern Yuletide.
Gold
stands for sunlight and radiance. It is the color of the christmas stars, tinsel, candles, electric lights. Christians who were once pagans saw the new god as they had the sun, that is the radiant being who lighted the world. Many artists show Christ in a pool of light, or with a bright halo around his head.
Stockings
A fable of old was that St. Nicholas was concerned about three lovely sisters. They lived on the outskirts of the city and were poor and destitute. The saint was determined to save the sisters from a possible of life of prostitution. One night it is told that he dropped three pieces of gold through the smoke-hole. The coins did not fall into the hearth, but fell into the girls stockings, which had been hanging up near the fire to dry. They were elated to find the money in the morning. People have hung up Christmas stockings ever since, hoping to receive a similar surprise.
Paper Hats
The wearing of colorful paper hats at CHristma sparties and festive meals was done due to superstition. It is said that evil forces constantly threatened the sun's survival. As evil could only be fought with evil, assuming the guise of the devil was therefore thought to drive away any real devils. Masks and hats were an essential part of devil disguises.
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