ChristmasTraditions

The Candy Cane

The candy cane represents one of the oldest symbols of Christmas, the shepherd's crook, for the shepherds were among the first to experience that first Christmas.
The colors of the candy cane have special meaning also. The wide red stripe represents the sacrifice of Christ,
"For by His stripes we are healed."
The narrow red stripes represent our own sacrifices (giving).
The white stripe is a symbol of purity.
Other folklore say these confections were created as a tribute to Christ.
The pure white candy in the shape of a staff refers to Jesus as the sinless shepherd.
The broad red strip symbolizes blood shed for the sins of the world,
and the three thinner stripes represent lashes from the Roman Soldiers.
The peppermint plant is a member of the hyssop family,
referred to in the Old Testament as a medicinal herb used for cleansing.
As you eat your candy cane, you might want to break it, as Christ's body was broken for you, and share it with a friend, thus sharing in the sweetness of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree, which is an evergreen with it's boughs stretched toward heaven, reminds us of the everlasting life that Christ came to bring sinners.
The candles or lights on the tree remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.

Holly Leaf

The Holly leaves and berries from the holly bush are widely used in holiday decorations. The sharp pointy edges of the holly leaf remind us of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore upon His brow.
The red berries remind us of the blood that Jesus shed.

Stockings

As legend has it, St. Nicholas was a shy man who tried to be discreet about his charity. Once he climbed onto the roof of a poor family's house and dropped a purse of coins down the chimney, and it landed in a sock a girl had hung to dry by the fireplace.
Another legend tells us that a nobleman who lost all his money after the death of his wife, had 3 beautiful young daughters. Each fell in love and wanted to marry,
but there was no money for dowries.
One night, St.Nicholas rode through the streets of their neighborhood and
peeked into their cottage.
The freshly washed laundry of the daughters hung by the fireplace drying.
St.Nicholas took 3 bags of gold coins and dropped them down the chimney,
with one landing in a stocking belonging to each daughter.
Thus was born the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace..

Santa Claus

An amalgam of ancient pagan idols, elves and heros.
Santa is one of the most universal symbols of Christmas,
celebrated in one form or another from Australia to Europe
to China and the Philippines.
The American Santa Claus is said to trace his roots primarily to St. Nicholas,
a 4th century Christian bishop.
And Father Christmas, an English character,
was inspired by the roman god, Saturn.
The image of Santa as a jolly old bearded elf was popularized by the late
19th century illustrator and cartoonist, Thomas Nast.
He's the same guy who came up the the donkey and the elephant as symbols of Democratic and Republican parties.

Mistletoe

According to Druid superstition, mistletoe was a divine branch that
grafted itself to an earthly tree.
Actually, it is a 'parasitic' plant.
It was used for casting spells and curing ills.
The Druids believed that mistletoe,
when held above a woman's head,
rendered her incapable of resisting a man.
It's believed that kissing under the mistletoe will bring true romance
or lasting friendship.

Flying Reindeer

Clement Clarke Moore,
a New York professor and poet,
spread this notion with his 1823 hit poem
"Visit from St.Nicholas"
We also know it as
"Twas the night before Christmas"

Believe in Santa with all your heart & your Christmas wishes will come true.

If you catch a snowflake on your tongue on Christmas Eve, you will have good luck the next year.

For one hour on Christmas eve, all animals are able to speak.

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