Joy of Christmas

What is the meaning of Christmas?

The Christmas tradition has been celebrated since the year 98 AD.

Like many American customs and traditions, the observance of Christmas was passed down from Europe. The Church composed the idea of Christmas by encompassing the positive aspects of giving gifts, stringing lights, and the cheerfulness of the Saturanilia festival that took place in Rome and transforming it from pagan customs to Christian values. Thanks to two delegated bishops of Rome, (137-350 AD), Christmas was organized to be celebrated on Dec.25 as a formal feast.

Few people know about the symbolism surrounding Christmas. The two main colors presented at Christmas time, red and green, share an important significance in the true meaning of Christmas. The color red signifies the intense blood that Jesus shed at his Crucifixion, while green represents everlasting life throughout the winter and through salvation, the eternal life provided by Jesus Christ.

Another allegoric decoration involved in Christmas is the holly. The sharp bristles and tiny red dots that are entailed in the holly are essential because they embody the thorns placed in Jesus’ crown that punctured into his brow and the blood drops that fell from him while hanging from the cross.

Now the question has been posed, Christmas tree or holiday tree? As one can plainly see, the focal theme of Christmas is, in fact, strictly based upon Christianity. Since the Christmas tree is the main visual tied to Christmas, why would anyone deem it necessary to change Christmas tree to holiday tree?

There is only one possibility as to why people think it is right to change the name. People think that the name should be changed in order to take the base word out, Christ. Instead of leaving Christmas the way it has always been, based on Christian customs, society considers changing the name and meaning of it to suit everyone.

People have the right to practice the tradition of Christmas any way they please, but it has always been Christmas carols, Christmas decorations, and it shall always be a Christmas tree.

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