08.26.07
Christmas Wreaths and their meaning defined
There are two different types of Christmas wreaths. The traditional Christmas wreath is usually hung during advent and the second type is the more decorative and craft inspired wreath. These wreaths can be found in most homes, as they can be placed on the wall for a longer period of time regardless of the season. Each of these wreaths has their own special meanings to those who make them and use them. The most symbolic of all is the Christmas wreath.
The advent wreath is more symbolic to Christian people. Although the first Christmas wreaths were inspired by pre Christian people, the Christians’ later adopted the idea. The advent wreath is comprised of four candles positioned in a circle with a single candle in the
center. People light the candles individually as the nights go on and the last candle in the middle is lit last and is meant to be a symbol of the birth of Christ. Such a tradition has been passed on for generations.
Many people have Christmas wreaths in their homes but do not have an advent wreath in their homes. Many times people only have a more decorative Christmas wreath to place on their doors. Some place the Christmas wreath in the dining room, which is nice display for Christmas dinner. If the
Christmas wreath is all made up of fruits, it may be seen as tropical. Many people
leave it hanging as a decoration until the New Year’s Day. The advent
wreath is meant for Christians to remember and be thankful that Jesus was born.
You do not have to be Christian in order to have a Christmas wreath in your
home. This is one decoration that denotes peace, love and harmony all together.
The more decorative and craft inspired wreaths are
used differently than an advent wreath. Usually these wreaths are simply just
decoration and hold no deep routed meanings. The plants that are used to create
a Christmas wreath are usually pine, holly, mistletoe, and ivy. These plants
have been used to make Christmas wreaths because of the symbol each plant
represents. If you think about the times when these people were suffering
during harsh winters you can see why the plants above had so much meaning to
them. Christmas wreath represents the hope of new life in the spring and
nature’s ability to rejuvenate and replenish itself.
Christmas wreaths also allow you to celebrate that
hope as well as to give it your own meanings. The wreaths that are more
decorative and crafty allow each person and family to create a Christmas wreath
that represents their family’s hopes, loves and wishes. The Christmas
wreath becomes a symbol of whatever you want it to mean for you and your
family. It ties up people to make the relationship stronger.
Many people use Christmas wreaths only for decoration,
as a way to bring the house together with the rest of the decorations and to
make the house more festive. But it should be more than that. Christmas wreaths
are ways of welcoming harmony in a family and the whole community. If only
Christmas wreaths can be used to encourage the people from all over the world,
the better. Whether the Christmas wreath is meant to be a symbol of something
special to your family or just to be a great decoration, a Christmas wreath is
special to you and those who see it. No matter what you use the wreath for, it
is a beautiful way to decorate your house and inspire hope for all.