Christmas Christmas SymbolsSymbols

Their History & Their History & Their MeaningTheir Meaning

Christmas TreeChristmas Tree

• Evergreen trees have been a Evergreen trees have been a symbol since pagan times in symbol since pagan times in England and France that England and France that winter would come to an winter would come to an end.end.

• The first decorations used The first decorations used were candles, apples, paper were candles, apples, paper roses, candy, and cookies.roses, candy, and cookies.

• A star on the top represents A star on the top represents the Bethlehem star when the Bethlehem star when Jesus was born.Jesus was born.

Candy CaneCandy Cane

• The first candy canes were a solid white color and straight.

• The earliest crooked candy canes appeared in Germany in 1670.

• Striped candy canes weren’t made until after 1900.

CandlesCandles

• Candles Candles represent lightrepresent light—to light the —to light the way for others.way for others.

• They were first They were first used as lights used as lights on the on the Christmas tree.Christmas tree.

PoinsettiaPoinsettia

• The first U.S. The first U.S. ambassador to ambassador to Mexico brought this Mexico brought this flower to the U.S. in flower to the U.S. in 1825. His name was 1825. His name was Dr. J. R. Poinsett. Dr. J. R. Poinsett.

• They are associated They are associated with Christmas with Christmas because of a because of a Mexican legend.Mexican legend.

BellsBells

• Bells are rung to Bells are rung to make make announcements or announcements or for celebrations.for celebrations.

• The first bells were The first bells were made in China.made in China.

• Some people wear Some people wear clothing with little clothing with little bells attached to bells attached to them.them.

Santa ClausSanta Claus

• In Holland, Dutch children In Holland, Dutch children believed Sinter Klaas would believed Sinter Klaas would fill their wooden shoes with fill their wooden shoes with candy and treats. candy and treats.

• When many Dutch people When many Dutch people settled in America, Sinter settled in America, Sinter Klaas became Santa Klaas became Santa Clause, someone who Clause, someone who brings toys and treats to brings toys and treats to children who have been children who have been good all year.good all year.

AngelsAngels

• Angels are a Angels are a traditional part traditional part of most of most religions.religions.

• Some people Some people like to decorate like to decorate their homes their homes and trees with and trees with angels.angels.

NutcrackersNutcrackers• Nutcrackers can

be used as a tool to open or crack nuts.

• Wooden figures became popular in the 16th century in Europe.

• The soldier figure is the most popular figure.

CarolsCarols• Caroling began in Caroling began in

medieval times when medieval times when people would sing people would sing and dance. Early and dance. Early carols weren’t carols weren’t considered holy considered holy enough to sing inside enough to sing inside a church and so a church and so people sung outside.people sung outside.

• Music is a special part Music is a special part of the Christmas of the Christmas season around the season around the world.world.

StockingsStockings

• These are associated These are associated with Sinter Klaas, with Sinter Klaas, who wanted to who wanted to remain anonymous remain anonymous and help a poor and help a poor family. He threw family. He threw gold coins down their gold coins down their chimney and they fell chimney and they fell into a stocking that into a stocking that was hanging their to was hanging their to dry.dry.

Christmas CardsChristmas Cards

• Cards are used to send Cards are used to send notes of good wishes. notes of good wishes.

• The custom of sending The custom of sending Christmas cards began Christmas cards began in 1843 in England.in 1843 in England.

• The British post office The British post office used to deliver cards on used to deliver cards on Christmas morning.Christmas morning.

MistletoeMistletoe

• Mistletoe remains Mistletoe remains green throughout green throughout the year. the year.

• It is a custom to It is a custom to hang a piece of it hang a piece of it in a doorway and in a doorway and people can kiss people can kiss each other while each other while standing under the standing under the mistletoe.mistletoe.

FoodFood• The tradition of The tradition of

cookies began in cookies began in Roman times when Roman times when people gave sweet people gave sweet cakes to their cakes to their senators.senators.

• Gingerbread houses Gingerbread houses have been made since have been made since the 1300’s.the 1300’s.

• Hot wassail is a Hot wassail is a popular drink at popular drink at Christmas. Christmas.

St. NicholasSt. Nicholas

• St. Nicholas was St. Nicholas was a real person. a real person.

• He was a kind He was a kind bishop who bishop who brought brought presents to presents to children and children and needy people.needy people.

WreathWreath

• In ancient Rome, wreaths were used as signs of victory.

• There are two kinds of holiday wreaths—the advent wreath and decorative wreath.

HollyHolly• Holly is a spiny-leafed Holly is a spiny-leafed

shrub with red berries shrub with red berries that remains green that remains green throughout the year. throughout the year.

• Since pagan times it has Since pagan times it has been a symbol that been a symbol that winter would end. winter would end.

• French and English French and English families hung holly over families hung holly over their doors to symbolize their doors to symbolize that their family that their family celebrated Christ’s birth.celebrated Christ’s birth.

LightsLights

• Lights Lights represent Jesus represent Jesus as the “Light of as the “Light of the World.” the World.”

• Lights also Lights also represent represent twinkling stars.twinkling stars.

GiftsGifts

• Gifts were Gifts were brought to the brought to the baby Jesus by baby Jesus by the wise men. the wise men.

• It has become It has become a tradition to a tradition to give gifts as give gifts as Christmas.Christmas.

NativityNativity

• The nativity The nativity represents the represents the birth of Jesus. birth of Jesus. Animals are Animals are usually part of a usually part of a nativity scene.nativity scene.

• The scene was The scene was first created in first created in 1224 by St. 1224 by St. Francis in Italy.Francis in Italy.

SourcesSources• http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/chris

tmas/christmas-symbols/index.html• http://z.about.com/d/homeschooling/• Let’s Celebrate Christmas by Peter and

Connie Roop• Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights: The

Story of the Christmas Symbols by Edna Barth