The Christmas wreath.
This is our wreath, hitched between our two garage doors.
Traditionally the wreath means welcome, and this is is the season for that.
Is there symbolic meaning to wreaths?
Yes! In addition to its welcome, the circle has been used for millennia to represent the Christian view of eternal life, which shape fits the wreath perfectly.
Wreaths can be decorated in many ways and be made of many things.
Of course the evergreen would again remind one of eternal life, and the renewal of the resurrection.
Ornaments on Christmas trees began with the use of nuts and cookies and small cakes and fruit and gingerbread. These things represented the spring to follow.
From there ornaments began to be made of glass (somewhere in the 1600s in Germany) and from there progressed to various gorgeous glass and plastic baubles and shapes. The American business magnate, F. W. Woolworth, began selling Christmas ornaments in his "five and dime" stores and it is said that in 1895 sold $25 million worth! That would be just under $1 billion today!
The lights, of course, represent the stars in the sky, first said to be recognized by Martin Luther, who began the tradition of bringing an evergreen tree into his home at Christmas. He remembered looking through the trees to see the stars in the sky. Of course one could argue that the main reason for lights could be THE "star in the sky" seen and followed at Jesus' birth.
Pine cones are seeds which represent the rebirth and renewal of the resurrection. And holly berries the blood of Christ shed at the crucifixion. Any of other various things might have their own meanings, like red ribbons. But all are symbolic of the season.
So wreaths are put together, decorated and hung to celebrate the Christmas season, and a wreath is the only decoration we put outside our home. We welcome you!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
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