Christmas Symbols

 
 
Candy Cane Candy Cane

A candy maker in Indiana made what is called the Christmas Candy Cane. He began with a stick of pure white, to symbolize the Virgin Birth Jesus, hard candy for the Rock Solid foundation of God's church and promises.

The candy was made in the form of a "J" to represent Jesus, It also represents the staff of the "Good Shepherd". The candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used the 3 small stripes for the scourging Jesus received (by which we are healed) and the large red stripe for the blood he shed on the Cross so that the faithful could have eternal life. Also keeps kids quiet at church.


Santa Claus Santa Claus

The original Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, born in the fourth century southeastern Turkish town of Lycia. His generosity (particularly to children. ) was legendary. which eventually led him to be to his becoming the patron saint of children. The fat, jolly, white-bearded man in a white fur-trimmed red suit is classic American. Other places known as St. Nicholas, Pere Noel in France, Father Christman in England, Weihnachtsmann (Christmas man) or Christkind in Germany,Befana from Italy Father Frost or Bobouschka, in Russia. In Europe "Christkindlein", the Christ Child secretly delivered presents to children. And Christkindlein became Guess what? Kris Kringle.

About 1700 AD Dutch immigrants introduced the legend of Sinter Klaas with them. The New World Dutch spelled it "Sinterklass". In 1773, a variation first appeared in the media as St. A. Claus. You don't have to say that 3 times fast to connect the dots to see how it was later changed to "Santa Claus".


Christmas Tree The Christmas Tree
The Romans used evergreen boughs to decorate their homes for the January "calends" and decking homes with evergreens may have become absorbed into the celebration of Christmas by early Christianity. In the 11th century, religious plays became popular in Europe and Christmas tree became associated with "Paradise tree." -evergreens hung with apples-in their homes on Dec. 24 to celebrate the feast of Adam and Eve.
And the story of Martin Luther, set up the first Christmas tree decorated with candles around the year 1500 after being inspired by the sight of moonlight shimmering on snow covered evergreen trees during a Christmas eve walk.
The first definitive mention of "Christmas tree" is in 1605. In that year, an unknown resident of Strasbourg, Germany, At Christmas they set up fir trees in the parlors with decorations. The use of Christmas trees and ornaments spread in Germany with cookies, bread, nuts and the like used so many sweets it was nicknamed the "sugar tree." Small gifts also made their way to the branches of the Christmas tree, which became traditional in Germany.
German immigrants brought the Christmas tree to America in 17th century. In England the tradition was made popular by the German Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.
Electric Christmas tree lights were first used just 3 years after Thomas Edison's first electric lights in 1879. Ornaments became a big hit. F.W. Woolworth of five-and-dime and by 1890, was selling $25 million worth of ornaments. And the commercialization of Christmmas continues.

Reindeer Reindeer

For many centuries reindeer have been domesticated in their original habitat, which ranges from Norway into northern Asia. They have been trained to wear harnesses because of their strength, speed, and endurance in pulling sleds over snow.
The Reindeer Legend flying ones play a role in Santa Claus story. reindeers (eight of them) was probably originated by Clement Clarke Moore in early 19th century poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

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