RETW Loc: Washington

Greeting: Did You Know This About Christmas?

Legend has it that, in the 8th Century, St. Boniface traveled to northern Germany to convert pagan Frankish tribes to Christianity. It is said that the saint used the triangular shape of a fir tree in order to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, which is the Christian concept of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit being a single, unified entity. Nevertheless, theres little factual evidence to support this.

What we do know is that, in the past, people used to decorate trees that lost their leaves during winter. They believed that spirits abandoned them, so they took to decorating the trees in order to attract the spirits back, thus continuing to give them life. Thats how the tradition of Christmas trees we know and love today was born.

A Closer Look at the Symbolism of Each Decoration


RETW

A Christmas tree’s crowning decoration, namely the star, symbolizes the star of Bethlehem. According to the Christian Bible, the star guided the three Wise Men to Jesus’ birthplace.


Christmas gifts symbolize the greatest gift people receive on earth according to the Christian tradition, which is eternal life.


Colored Christmas balls, were usually made out of metal, and there bright colors attract spirits, and the metal there made out of,helps to invoke them. Their spherical shape is a symbol of wholeness and perfection


Tinsel symbolizes the sparks used to ignite the fire that Joseph made to keep Mary and Jesus warm in the stable following His birth.


Candy Canes are believed to symbolize the Shepherd’s staff, which he used to guide his flock of sheep. Christian tradition dictates that he was the first one to see Jesus Christ after his birth.


Pinecones on a Christmas tree symbolize fertility and motherhood.


A Christmas wreath symbolizes the infinite love of God for humanity. In addition, it symbolizes how true love has no beginning or end.


The shape of a Christmas bow, and its color symbolize the eternal bonds of goodwill that bind us and our loved ones together.


The lights we put up on our Christmas tree symbolize the twinkling of stars in the night sky.

PeterS

And a merry winter solstice to you too...

Loki Loc: Georgia

I heard that our buddy Boniface used the an evergreen tree, symbolizing eternal life in Christ, as a substitute for the Sacred Oak of Odin. (Or Wotan.) It certainly wouldn't be the first time that Christianity borrowed stuff to make conversion more palatable to pagans.
In the early days of Christianity, they had serious competition from the Cult of Mithra, a Middle Eastern religion. It seems that Mithra was born on December 25th. He also rose from the dead. There are also many aspects of Roman Saturnalia in Christmas. Christmas was not recognized by the early Christian church. There are not records of any celebration of Christmas until 336 AD, during the reign of the Emperor Constantine. Incidentally, Constantine also sponsored the Nicene Council of 325 AD which gave us the Sunday Sabbath, rather than the sunset Friday till sunset Saturday observed by the early Church.
An early Christian observing a modern day Church service would probably think it some sort of pagan ritual, and would not be far off the mark.

Texas Truth Loc: Behind Enemy Lines

Are you a test tube baby?

bggamers Loc: georgia

Thank you I never really thought about the meanings of the decorations

Loki Loc: Georgia

Most of Christmas is simply slapping Christian paint on pagan holidays. There is absolutely NO Biblical basis for celebrating the birthday of the pagan god Mithra as a Christian holiday.

crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

You're pathetic. Have you not gotten past that lie?