There’s a hint of holiday spices in the air, and 2021 is about to be waved off for good. The annual ritual of decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most looked forward to yearly. We decorate this tree with lights, ornaments, and presents in the expectation that Santa will bring us what we’ve asked for on Christmas morning.
There’s a reason we decorate our homes with a star on top of the tree, candy canes on every branch, and wreaths on the doorknobs at the end of the year. Find out!
Christmas Trees
The first person to bring a Christmas tree inside the house was Martin Luther, a German preacher from the 16th century. In the 16th century, Pagans and Christians alike would use the ancient fir tree during the winter to celebrate the coming of spring. Today, there is a wide selection of Christmas trees from which to choose to decorate your home on Christmas eve, from real fir to oak trees to plastic-leaf trees.
The Christmas tree is a symbol of the celebrations and countdown to New Year’s Eve that begin with the commemoration of Jesus’ birth and the opening of the gift-giving season.
Stars
The three wise men followed the star of Bethlehem to the stable where Jesus was born. The star at the top of the tree represents the star of Bethlehem. Nowadays, wreaths, flowers, and even statues of Jesus are used in place of stars at the top of Christmas trees.
Tinsel
The word “tinsel” comes from the obsolete French “estincele,” which meant “sparkle,” and is now commonly utilized as a decorative element for many holidays and events. Tinsel, a symbol of ice shavings, is claimed to have originally been fabricated from real silver shredding.
The Christmas tree can be decorated with tinsels, which come in a wide variety of colors.
Candy canes
Candy canes are shaped like a shepherd’s staff because of this association. The shepherd’s staff, symbolized by the candy cane form, was used to herd the sheep. Historically, Christians have interpreted the crimson color of the candy to represent Jesus’ blood, and the white color to represent eternal life.
In addition to their decorative value, candy canes are sold as sweets in many stores, making them a hit with kids.
Wreath
Many people believe that the wreath resembles the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus’ head at the crucifixion. It has become a modern symbol of God’s unending love and joy.
Wreaths can be fashioned in many different ways, using a wide variety of flowers, leaves, and even fruits. Many ancient Greek and Roman monarchs used wreaths as part of their royal regalia.
Bells
Bells for the holidays can be found in a rainbow of hues and designs. One of many possible interpretations of the bell’s symbolism is that it represents the bells used by shepherds to summon their sheep.
Instead of using a bell on the Christmas tree, giant bells are placed at the front door.
Lights
The night sky is simulated with lights. On the other hand, many European countries celebrate Christmas by lighting candles.
Fairy lights are a popular way to decorate a Christmas tree, since they help bring out the myriad shades the tree represents.
