Happy Birthday JC!

Happy birthday JC! That's right I'm talking about Christmas, this year Jesus turns 2008 years old (or there abouts) and doesn't he look fantastic for his age! We are aware what the true meaning of Christmas is, it is a time for Jesus Christ to be born again in our hearts and our souls. We take this time of year to celebrate with loved ones and remember the good times that we've had over the past year. Many of you may be thinking, "is he just going to ramble on about things we already know?" Let me get to the point, if you are like me you wonder where traditions came from and how things got started. Why do we go around putting pine trees in our living rooms (seemingly a place where pine trees do not belong), whats up with the candy cane, why do we hang pieces of a pine tree on our doors and call it a wreath, and why oh why do we go nuts, jack up our electrical bills, and decorate our houses in so many lights you could see it from space. Hopefully I can attempt to answer some of these questions.

Whats up with the fir tree in the living room?

The origin of the "Christmas Tree" is highly debated. There is a legend that our protestant brother Martin Luther brought the first Christmas tree into his home. However its just a legend, there really isn't enough evidence to support the story. However, the people that we can credit with setting up the first Christmas tree are the Germans. The earliest record of a fir tree being used as decoration for Christmas is 1521. The German tradition grew in popularity over the years into what we have today. So what is the fir tree supposed to symbolize? Here are some answers that I found:

1. The Christmas tree is triangular shaped symbolizing the trinity
2. The Christmas tree points up to heaven reminding us of our focus for the season
3. The color of the Christmas tree is green symbolizing life
4. The needles on the tree grow upward like hands praising God
5. The lights on the tree symbolize Heaven, and the gifts we place under the tree symbolize charity and love

What's up with the wreath?

The origin of the Christmas wreath is unknown, however there is evidence of pagan religions using wreathes of holly for magical protective powers. Us Christians like to look at the wreath from a symbolic stance, Christmas wreaths are typically made of evergreen which is green symbolizing life, its circular shape represents the idea of eternity, or the unending circle of life. When holly is used in a Christmas wreath it has some meaning as well. Holly has thorns, representing the crown of thorns Christ wore during his crusifixtion, they are also red representing the blood he shed for us.

What's the story behind the candy cane?

There are many legends behind the meaning of the candy cane. One of the most popular is that the candy cane was created by a candy maker in Indiana, the shape of the candy cane was to represent a shepherds staff (Jesus is our shepherd) or to represent the letter "J" for Jesus. The red on the candy cane was to represent the blood Christ shed for us. This is one of the many legends that are out there about the candy cane, and one that I like. Truth is that again there really isn't much evidence out there as to the true meaning of the candy cane, one thing is for certain - the idea that a candy maker in Indiana created the candy cane is indeed false, as historians have found references to the candy cane long before there was an Indiana. As a symbol the candy cane is open to interpretation, I would like to think there is some Christian meaning behind it.

Why do people "Griswold" (put an abundance of Christmas lights on their house) their homes for the holidays?

The "Griswold" reference refers to Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation movie ... I digress, let's go back to Germany where we saw our first Christmas tree. When they first started decorating Christmas trees they would place candles on the tree to illuminate it (doesn't that seem like a fire waiting to happen) . Fast-forward to 1882 and we see Edward Johnson inventing the first string of Christmas lights (Mr. Johnson worked under Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb) and decorating a tree in New York with them. In 1900, large department stores started decorating their store fronts with strands of Christmas lights to attract customers. With the realization that candles and open flame probably weren't the best idea for decorations people began the switch to electric Christmas lights.

And then there was this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD4g0gmQSLk ... show off

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a joyous new year ... see you all next year at B.A.S.I.C.