Symbols of Christmas

published on 12/23/10 12:32 PM

Photo: Архив

Christmas gives us joy and we forget our everyday worries in order to immerse in the festive mood. People often view Christmas as a time to rethink their lives. On Christmas people become more humane and their positive emotions feed on the hope for a better year. The magic starts on Christmas Eve, when the family gathers at the table and the oldest one blesses the dinner, while burning incense.

“The Lenten Christmas dinner is deeply symbolic,” theologian professor Kalin Yanakiev says. “It represents the fullness of the home and the fact that nothing additional is needed. Christmas marks the incredible event of merging the ancient God, who created the world, with the new beginning,” he adds.

On Christmas the Savior comes to this world to make it a better place and spread love that can change even the most hardened heart, if it accepts god’s word. Professor Yanakiev says that Christmas is a holiday of traditions, which is also a great joy for children who can fully immerse into its deep magic. Everything on Christmas from the Christmas tree to the dinner has its symbolic meaning. A number of symbols are related to God’s power and his protection of Joseph and Mary. The wreaths we put on the door is a symbol of the crown of thorns of Jesus. The tradition of the Christmas tree comes from the times when Christians celebrated the holiday together with the holiday of Adam and Eve. The celebrations included theatrical performances of Adam and Eve eating from the tree of knowledge. As the holiday is during the winter, people started decorating evergreen trees with apples. The star on the top of the tree symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, which appeared to mark the birth of Christ. It also symbolizes the light that shows us the way. Candy sticks, representing the shepherds’ crooks are also put on the tree. The holiday of Adam and Eve was forgotten but the Christmas tree remained. Bells on the tree symbolize the harmony in Christian society and close relation between God and people. The candles symbolize the hope and the light Christ brings people to lead them out of the darkness. The candle is a symbol of faith but also of the temporary human life.

“We all live in insecurity, which can be compared to walking on water,” Professor Yanakiev says. “We are truly walking on water, in which we can sink any minute. But we continue walking, which means there is a deep metaphysical trust. If we have this trust, it means someone above gave it to us. We must use this faith and sincerely say ‘Let there be you will.’ If we accept these words, we will be able to live without fear. We must keep this deep faith and that is what I wish all people,” professor Yanakiev concluded.

English: Alexander Markov

По публикацията работи: Darina Grigorova

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Symbols of Christmas

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