Christmas Symbols

Christmas symbols and their meanings.

Yule Log

A Yule log is a large log which is burned in the fireplace as part of Winter Solstice celebrations.
A section of the log is saved and used to light the next year's log.

Yule log can also refer to log-shaped Christmas cakes, known as "chocolate logs" or "Bûche de Noël".

Advent Wreath

An Advent wreath is made with evergreen cuttings and used for household devotion by some Christians during Advent.
Traditionally three of the candles were violet-colored and one was rose-colored. Times changed and now all four can be violet.

A violet candle is lit on the first evening of Advent (a Sunday). On the second Sunday another violet candle is added, then the rose candle, and finally, the third violet candle.

The wreath represents God's eternity. The violet candles symbolize faith, and the rose candle joy and hope.
The first candle signifies the hope of Jesus' arrival.
The second candle reminds Christians that God appeared to them in Bethlehem.
The third candle represents the joy that Advent is almost over.
The final candle symbolizes peace and good news.

Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree is one of the most popular Christmas symbols. It is normally an evergreen tree that is decorated with Christmas lights and colorful ornaments. A star is placed at the top of the tree to represent the Star of Bethlehem. An angel is placed at the top to represent the host of angels that proclaimed the news of the birth of Jesus to the world.

Christmas Wreaths

Wreaths are made with evergreens to represent strength of life.
Wreaths can also be made from pine, holly or yews, symbolizing immortality.
The circular shape of a wreath symbolizes eternity.
In Europe, wreaths made from branches of fir trees are commonly used to remember the dead. These remembrance wreaths are placed at grave sides.

Christmas Stockings

A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children hang by the fireplace so that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, fruit or other small gifts.
These small gifts and toys are called stocking stuffers.

Traditionally if a child behaves badly during the year, he will awake Christmas morning to find a lump of coal in his stocking rather than toys.

Many families personalize the stockings by placing each family members name onto one stocking. This way everyone knows which stocking is theirs.