8 Symbols of Christmas: And How They Represent Christ

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Merry Christmas-Eve!

My mother-in-law gave me an early Christmas gift this year, Christmas pillows she had made by hand.

The unique thing about these pillows is they are made with fabric on which is printed rhymes about the meanings of various Christmas symbols.

Some of the meanings I had heard or could have inferred, while others I didn’t know.

It has been fun to explain these meanings to my daughter, who has really latched on to them. Now when we see a Christmas tree she says, “Look mom! It’s pointing up to God!”

The fabric was designed by Nancy Halvorsent or Art to Heart and, if you’re interested, you can purchase it here.

8 Symbols of Christmas

Santa

“a symbol of giving who hopes to instill joy and a love of peace and goodwill”

I haven’t known exactly how to address Santa. We’re not emphasizing him to our young children, but he’s definitely someone about whom they are developing their own ideas.

This gave me a fun new way to approach the topic, explaining him a symbol of giving and goodwill.

Candle

“A candle burns bright so we will not stray, He’s our Savior, our Christ and He lights the way.”

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

Christmas tree

“Evergreen trees point to God high above, reminding His children of Christ’s endless love.”

Let these be a reminder, pointing up, to draw our eyes and the eyes of our hearts back to God.

Star

“A heavenly sign shown to all on that night, a shining hope guiding us with His light.”

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:9-11a

Candy cane

“A shepherd’s crook used to guide his lambs, we serve each other with helping hands.”

“I [Jesus] am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

Bells

“Lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, we’re never lost to Him, a joyous noel.”

Like a cowbell, free roaming sheep wear bells making them easier to locate should they wander off. In the same way, bells represent that Jesus found us when we were lost. He saved us from sin.

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14

Gifts

“His greatest gift was given to all, it should be cherished by large and small.”

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Wreath

“A wreath is a circle in endless connection, a symbol for us of His love and affection.”

Just as God is endless and eternal, with no beginning and no end, so will His love for us endure forever.

I hope you share these symbolic meanings with your families in the coming days, and discover deeper meaning in what can easily be superficial this season.

 

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