Symbols of Christmas: Blast of celebration
Merry, merry Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveller back to his own fireside and quiet home!". Festival celebration reminds us to grab the austerity of pleasure and happiness. Whenever we have thought in the back of the mind about the Christmas, we get a clear picture of the decoration of Christmas, melodies of Christmas Carol, Candles, Santa Claus, and Christmas tree and have a blast of celebration. But we never think why it became reason for celebration. Let’s look at the symbol of celebrating Christmas.
History of Christmas
Source: www.whychristmas.com
It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Jesus, the founder of Christianity. In A.D. 350, Pope Julius I, bishop of Rome, proclaimed December 25 the official celebration date for the birthday of Christ.
Symbol of Christmas
1. Santa Claus
Source: www.whychristmas.com
Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop from Asia Minor. He was famous for giving gifts to children. From there, he became the patron saint of children and sailors.
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2. Christmas tree
Source: www.whychristmas.com
The evergreen Christmas tree offered as a symbol of Christianity from 8th century, when St. Boniface was converted the Germanic tribes. The tribes worshiped oak trees, decorating them for the winter solstice. The first person to decorate a Christmas tree was reportedly the Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546).
3. Mistletoe
Image Courtesy: www.whychristmas.com
It represented the joining of heaven and Earth, and God's reconciliation with mankind. Ancient peoples, such as the Druids, believed that the mistletoe sacred because it remains green and bears fruit during the winter when all other plants appear to die. Druids would cut the plant with golden sickles and never let it touch the ground.
4. Christmas Card
Image Courtesy: www.whychristmas.com
This custom was started by Queen Victorian of England. Commissioned by Sir Henry Cole (1808-1883), British illustrator John Callcott Horsley (1817-1903) invented the first Christmas card in 1843.
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5. The Yule log
Source: www.whychristmas.com
The origin of the folk custom of burning the Yule Log goes back to, and before, medieval times. It was originally a Nordic tradition.
The Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th December every year. It is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and is traditionally characterised by tinsel-decorated trees, mince pies, present-giving and a turkey dinner.