Somehow, the Christmas rush always catches up with you. No matter how plans are made or how much you try to keep things simple, the Christmas rush will still be there! In the middle of it all, it’s nice to remember what Christmas means…the bells, the trees, the angels, the stars…it’s really a beautiful season. Here is an article I wrote for a local column in my community.
The MEANING of CHRISTMAS
It’s our favorite time of the year. Everyone is a little kinder, everything is a little lighter. All is filled with joy and hope.
Santa Claus and his reindeers…Christmas bells…mall sales…beautifully wrapped gifts…it is a Merry Christmas indeed!
In this merry season, it is easy to get lost in all the commercial Christmas value. It is easy for our children not to understand Christmas meaning when we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by Christmas.
Well, here are some of the symbols of Christmas and their meanings to refresh our memories. We need to know this as parents!
The Star. The star is a sign of God’s fulfillment of his promise, to save mankind through the birth of his son. The star guided the 3 Wise Men in their journey to the manger where Christ was born.
The Candle. The candle symbolizes that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
The Wreath. With its circle shape, the wreath symbolizes God’s love, with no beginning and no end.
The Gifts. We give gifts at Chirstmastime as a symbol of God’s greatest gift to humanity — His son’s birth.
The Angel. As God’s messenger of good news, the angel sang, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth.”
The Christmas Tree. As the tree leaves all point upward, it is a sign that people must pin their hopes to the heavens.
The Christmas Bell. Shepherds find their lost sheep with the help of a bell. The Christmas bell symbolizes that Christmas is a good time for lost Christians to return to God’s merciful arms.
Santa Claus. Santa Claus symbolizes man’s natural kindness and generosity. It is no wonder that the Christmas spirit is all about charity and bigheartedness.
Now that we know the meanings of Christmas symbols, how do we teach our Children that old fashioned meaning of Christmas? Here are some ways:
- Visit a belen and explain the characters in simple terms.
- Read a Christmas Story to your child.
- Watch a Christmas movie as a family.
- Wrap gifts with the children. Let them give the gifts personally to their friends or cousins.
- Play traditional Christmas music like O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, Silent Night, The First Noel. Literally, sing with them!
- Hold a birthday party for Jesus! This might take extra effort to pull off but the kids would surely understand who is having a birthday!
And now, it’s time for you to add on to the list. I am sure that you have more creative ways of teaching the children the real meaning of Christmas. Share it with other moms. More importantly, put them into action.
Valerie
Lovely article.
I enjoyed reading about the symbolism.
My husband reads the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible on Christmas Eve while the kids act it out with a felt nativity set I made years ago. They have to stifle laughter when they’re moving the cute little characters about! It’s very fun for us all.
A Gracious Life
Oh that’s a really nice and fun way of doing the Christmas story. => Thanks, and merry, merry Christmas!
Valerie
Merry Christmas to you too!!
cheesecake
ang liit naman ng gift nila
A Gracious Life
lol. yeah…=>
rommel
My meaning of Christmas …. Forgiveness, because Jesus was born to clear mankind’s sins. Get Togetherness, as symbolized by Nativity. Gift Giving, as symblozid by the Magi. Religiosity, Christmas reminds us of the birth of God in human form.
A Gracious Life
That’s beautiful. =>