1. The Real Message of Christmas...

2. ...its all in the symbols!

3. For example, everyone loves a Christmas tree but did you know...?

4. The pure green colour of the fir tree remains green all year round, depicting everlasting hope. This is why we decorate fir trees at Christmas – as a symbol of hope.

5. What about the star on the top of the tree? We’ve all heard of the star of Bethlehem but is that all it means?

6. The star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised to send his son on the first Christmas and the star was the sign of fulfilment of that promise.

7. What about Christmas candles? What do you think they are a symbol of?

8. Christmas candles are a symbol that the baby Jesus was the light of the world. The candle light reminds us that Christmas is a time for banishing darkness and focusing on love, light and happiness.

9. Convinced yet? Christmas is filled with symbols that we may not even notice...... for instance, the Christmas wreath. What does that mean?

10. The Christmas wreath symbolizes the real nature of love at Christmastime. Real love has no end. It is one continuous round of affection like the circle of the wreath.

11. So why do we give each other gifts at Christmas?

12. The three wise men presented the baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. We give each other gifts in the same spirit of the wise men.

13. What about candy canes? They couldn’t possibly be a symbol... could they?

14. The candy cane represents the shepherds‘ crook. The shepherds used the crook to gather their sheep together and so the crook is a symbol that Christmas is a time of gathering and being together.

15. What about Christmas Angels then?

16. The tradition of Christmas Angels began with the Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. Angels are a symbol of peace and goodwill at Christmastime.

17. At this time of year we are surrounded by the symbols of Christmas but they all lead to the same message...

18. Have a safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas!