Merry Christmas everyone! Because of the Coronavirus and the chemotherapy our pastor is undergoing, we are continuing to provide the Mass by way of livestream. Our hope is that if we take good care of ourselves, protect one another, and stay safe this Christmas, we will all be around next Christmas! Our livestreamed Masses will offer a glimpse of the beauty of this season, though we all have to admit that we miss seeing (and smelling!) the decorations. We are so used to seeing these beautiful decorations each year and we will see them again next year, but sometimes we forget the meaning behind them. Perhaps you have some of these in your home.
Did you know…?
The Christmas Tree is an evergreen, which is a symbol of the eternal life that God has and that God offers us. God’s Son, Jesus, has promised to give us eternal life. The color green is a sign of hope, especially the hope that comes from God. The lights on our trees symbolize the light of Christ. The tree itself is triangular in shape: reminding us of the Holy Trinity.
Candles show us that Jesus is the light of the world, who scattered the darkness.
A Wreath is in the shape of a circle, with no beginning or end, just like God. This is why we do not have square Christmas wreaths! Evergreens, again, symbolize the eternal life of Jesus and His promise of eternal life to us. A red bow is a symbol of love, the great love that God has for us.
Candy Canes symbolize the shepherd’s crook, which reminds us that poor shepherds were the first ones to be told about the birth of Jesus. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and will always watch over and guide us. White is the color for purity; red is the color for love and the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross. Also, the candy is hard because it reminds us that Jesus is our rock.
Holly’s sharp prickly leaves remind us of the Passion of Jesus, His crown of thorns. The red berries remind us of the blood that Jesus shed for us.
The Star is one of the more obvious symbols of the season. It reminds us that God sent a star to lead the Wise Men to the place where Jesus, Joseph, and Mary were. Even more, Jesus it the Morning Star (which marks the beginning of a new day), because He marks the beginning of a whole new way of life for all people who follow Him.
Gifts remind us that Jesus has given each of us many gifts (faith, hope, and love – just for starters), and He calls us to share them in order to give God glory and honor. We are challenged in this season to continue to give people the gift of ourselves all year. Let’s not forget that Jesus is the greatest gift of all and let’s be sure to share Him far and wide.
In the first moments of Christmas and as the Christmas Mystery unfolds over the next Twelve Days, take some time to read Luke 1,67-79. The Bible itself is one of the important “symbols” of this season: “the Word has become flesh.” Listen carefully to how the Canticle of Zechariah tells us that “the dawn from on high shall break upon us.” Jesus, the newborn King, is that very dawn! His birth will lead us into a new day and a new hope, both of which are most welcome after the year we have had!
“O Radiant Dawn, Splendor of eternal Light, Sun of Justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Isaiah had prophesied, ‘the people who walked in darkness have seen the great light, upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.’ Fill us with your light and love, O Lord, who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.”
