Symbols of the Season
Many Christians saw Pagan beliefs as a bad thing, but they also thought they were worth remembering because these were the traditions of some of their ancestors, this is why they may have been fascinated by them. In an effort to spread their Christian beliefs among the Pagans and to dissolve an increasing belief among Christians that Jesus was not a real man that lived on the earth, they decided the best way was to celebrate Jesus' birth. Thus started the adoption of some Pagan traditions! It did not occur to the Christians to celebrate Christ's birthday because the Bible never specified an exact time of His birth, but many believed it was in the Spring. Christians were more concerned with celebrating a martyrs' day of death, this was considered the true birthday. Birthday celebrations were also a Pagan tradition. So the Christians wanted to use the Pagan's own tradition to teach their beliefs and spread the gospel. If the Christian's adopted some of the Pagan traditions then it might be more appealing to the non believers and they were more likely to accept Christianity.
Winter solstice festivals had to do with celebrating the rebirth of the Sun, so what better time to celebrate the birth of the Son?! Since many of the Pagan celebrations were of the Winter festival kind, the Christians decided to teach their beliefs during the Winter festival and Celebrate Christ's birth. They found a clever way to appeal to their non christian friends through the use of their own traditions to perhaps change their beliefs. These traditions have evolved over the centuries and Christian religions have brought new meanings, Christian ones, to the Pagan symbols and traditions. Christians over the centuries have taken something many have seen as negative and turned it around to find Christ in it by giving new meaning!
https://www.livescience.com/25779-christmas-traditions-history-paganism.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas
In sharing Christmas messages in recent years, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has asked his listeners and readers to consider the symbolism of Christmas decorations, traditions and celebrations — and to look at them differently and link them with the source of truth, even Christ.
To the oft-asked holiday phrase, “Are you ready for Christmas?” Elder Bednar suggests another question — “Are you and I ready for Christ?
He explains: “The Father’s gift to us was His Son. The gift from the Son to us is His Atonement. Perhaps the only thing we could give Them is a growing conviction of and a deepening conversion to the Savior and His Atonement and what it means in our lives.
“Perhaps the only thing we could give would be a more diligent desire and commensurate study — to not just know about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but to know Him who brought His Atonement and to more fully understand the blessings of His sacrifice in our lives.”
Like other general authorities and general officers, Elder Bednar has used devotional messages, holiday speaking invitations and social-media posts to speak of Christmas symbols.
From stars and bells to shepherds and wise men, those symbols can have one thinking of Christmas and Christ’s birth and expanding focus to the Savior’s ministry and mission.
Speaking of the evergreens used as Christmas trees, Elder Bednar teaches: “Because of Jesus Christ, we can have everlasting life. Thus, the evergreen tree is a natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.”
In Christmas messages, he has noted the importance of the tree as a central figure in Lehi’s vision (1 Nephi 8). “The tree is a symbol that can represent Christ, and the fruit on the tree are the blessings of the Atonement.” - The Church News
Throughout much of our doctrine, the tree is a representation of God's Love and/or the love of Christ. The branches and roots of a tree grow to stretch and reach out, as does God's everlasting love. Branches reach out offering their fruit to us with a taste so sweet, their fruit gives sustenance and provides for some of our basic needs. God's love does the same. When we partake of the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ we experience its sweetness and are filled by its providence. The roots of the tree are wide and deep providing unwavering strength and allowing the tree to grow and live a long life. God and Jesus' love can do the same for us, Their love is unwavering, strong and allows us to grow and live.
The Candy Cane represents the shepherd's crook. The shepherd's crook is a
tool that guides the lambs to safety. It is a tool that gathers the
lambs and helps the shepherd keep all the sheep safe. Christ is the Good
Shepherd. He guides us to safety and keeps us together. If we leave, He
finds us and brings us back to the fold. There is a legend about the
Candy Cane. No one is sure if it's really true, but it's a great
reminder of God's love for us."According to the legend of the candy cane, this candy was first created back in the 18th century. At that time, in certain areas of Europe, there was said to be a ban on public displays of Christianity. Christians were oppressed and no Bibles or crosses could be owned at the time. One man found this oppression distressing and wished he could share the love of Jesus and the joy of Christmas with the rest of the world. When Christmas came around, children didn’t get to see nativity scenes or enjoy learning about the truth of Christmas. As a candy maker, this man prayed to find a way that he could offer local children a Christmas gift that would allow him to communicate the real story of Christmas.
His prayer led to an idea--The Candy Cane.The Shepherd's Staff: He chose to make the candy cane in the shape of a shepherd’s staff. After all, Jesus is the shepherd to his followers and the Bible notes that the “sheep” would hear His voice and follow him (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11, John 10:27-30, Isaiah 40:11).
The Letter J for Jesus:Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a “J,” which stood for Jesus (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21).
He is A Rock: The candy maker chose hard candy for the candy cane, which was done to remind children that Jesus was our “rock,” dependable and strong (Psalm 31:3).
By His Stripes: Wide red stripes were added to the candy cane, representative of the crucifixion and the blood Jesus shed for our sins.
Red-His Shed Blood: Through his blood, we are given salvation and life (Revelation 1:5, John 3:16, Luke 22:20).
White-Purification from Sin: There are also white stripes on the candy cane, which represents the holiness, and purity of Jesus, who was sinless (I John 1:7).
Sweet Fragrance of Christ: Peppermint was the flavor that the candy maker chose for the candy cane. Peppermint was very similar to hyssop, which was used for sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament, reminding us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It also reminds us of the spices brought by the Wise Men when they came to visit Jesus (Psalm 51:7, John 10:29, Matthew 2:11).
Broken For Us: Of course, when the candy cane is eaten, it is often broken, which the candy maker meant as a reminder that when Jesus was crucified, his body was broken (I Cor. 11:24).
Love of Christ: The candy cane was also made to be given as a gift, representing the love of Jesus when he gave us the gift of salvation."-https://www.thebettermom.com/blog/2013/12/13/teach-about-jesus-with-the-legend-of-the-candy-cane
The color red makes me think of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The blood he shed for all of us. It's a reminder to remember that great sacrifice and the love that it took to make that sacrifice. The color green can remind us that life still thrives in the dead of winter. It's a sign of hope and new life.
Gifts are first represented by the original gifts brought to the Christ child by Wise men. Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh. We give gifts to remember those first gifts, but also to remember the greatest gift, Jesus Christ and His atonement.
The red bow is a symbol we use at Christmas to decorate presents, wreaths and trees. It is tied together in service and love for our fellowmen. The red bow is a sign of goodwill to all. It is a symbol that represents peace, solidarity, unity, and the bonds of brotherhood and love that people should have for each other.
And for showing that we care,
For honoring the Christ Child
With the loving gifts we share.
The wise men gave of riches;
The shepherds, faith and love.
Each gift, in its own measure,
Was smiled on from above.
Let every gift be treasured;
Not always size or price
Determines the extent of love
And willing sacrifice
Handsome gifts with festive trim
Bring smiles of sweet content,
But modest gifts of humble means
are ofttimes heaven sent.
Whether it be large or small,
Each gift will share in part
The message of true Christmas joy
If given from the heart!
– Iris W. Bray
Paul Laurence Dunbar
1872 – 1906
The snow lies deep upon the ground,
And winter's brightness all around
Decks bravely out the forest sere,
With jewels of the brave old year.
The coasting crowd upon the hill
With some new spirit seems to thrill;
And all the temple bells achime.
Ring out the glee of Christmas time.
In happy homes the brown oak-bough
Vies with the red-gemmed holly now;
And here and there, like pearls, there show
The berries of the mistletoe.
A sprig upon the chandelier
Says to the maidens, “Come not here!”
Even the pauper of the earth
Some kindly gift has cheered to mirth!
Within his chamber, dim and cold,
There sits a grasping miser old.
He has no thought save one of gain,—
To grind and gather and grasp and drain.
A peal of bells, a merry shout
Assail his ear: he gazes out
Upon a world to him all gray,
And snarls, “Why, this is Christmas Day!”
No, man of ice,—for shame, for shame!
For “Christmas Day” is no mere name.
No, not for you this ringing cheer,
This festal season of the year.
And not for you the chime of bells
From holy temple rolls and swells.
In day and deed he has no part—
Who holds not Christmas in his heart!
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."
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