The Christmas holiday is like a fairy tale. This is a favorite holiday for many children and adults. It is celebrated all over the world.
Recently, many families have begun to worry that Christmas has become a commercial format and the true meaning of this holiday has been forgotten.
For children, Christmas is about receiving long-awaited gifts and nothing more. At the same time, this holiday has a long history, and each symbol has a specific meaning.
But while their eyes sparkle at the lights and their hearts race at the thought of presents, there’s a deeper story that deserves center stage—the story of Jesus, God’s love, and the miracle of His birth.
And here's the good news: You don't need to cancel cookies and crafts to teach truth. You can weave the meaning of Christmas into the fun traditions they already love.
Let’s break down the symbols they're already seeing—and gently point their hearts back to the manger.
Symbolism Of Christmas – Why It Is Important To Know
Symbolism is a rather interesting topic. There are symbols in almost every sphere. Religion was no exception.
Studying Christmas symbols helps to better understand the history and why we should follow the traditions. Just so you know, such information will be helpful to you, not only if you have children.
Students in school or college may be asked to write an essay on symbolism. Symbolism essay examples will help you understand the direction to move and where to develop your thought in a research paper.
A feature of such services is that students here will find free sample essays on various topics. It can be Christmas symbols, ocean pollution, space exploration, etc.
What Do The Symbols Of Christmas Mean?
Let's move on to the symbols of Christmas. The main ones are considered to be:
Christmas tree
Symbolism: Eternal life through Jesus
Kid Explanation:
"Evergreen trees stay green all year—they never lose their color, even in the coldest winter. They remind us that God’s love for us never changes. Just like this tree stays alive, Jesus came to give us eternal life that never ends."
The Nativity Scene
Symbolism: The heart of the Christmas story
Kid Explanation:
"The nativity shows us what Christmas is really about—Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, who was born in a stable because there was no room in the inn. It's not just a decoration—it's a snapshot of the greatest moment in history!"
The Gifts
Symbolism: The gifts brought to Jesus + God’s gift of salvation
Kid Explanation:
"The wise men brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh—special gifts fit for a King. But the best gift ever wasn’t under a tree... it was Jesus Himself! He came as a gift from God to show us His love."
Spruce decorations
Symbolism: Eternal life through Christ
Kid Explanation:
“Spruce and pine trees don’t lose their green, even in the winter. We use them to decorate because they remind us that Jesus gives us life that never fades or ends. Just like these branches stay green, His love lasts forever.”
Lights and candles
Symbolism: Jesus is the Light of the World
Kid Explanation:
"Every time we see lights on houses or candles glowing, they can remind us that Jesus is the true Light—He came to shine in our darkness and show us the way to God."
Bell
Symbolism: Proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ birth
Kid Explanation:
“Bells are used to get people’s attention—and at Christmas, they remind us to stop and listen to the good news that Jesus was born! Just like church bells ring to celebrate, we get to celebrate the greatest news of all: our Savior has come.”
Candy cane
Symbolism: Jesus as the Good Shepherd + His sacrifice
Kid Explanation:
"See the shape? It’s like a shepherd’s staff—Jesus is our Good Shepherd who watches over us. And the red stripe? That reminds us of the love and sacrifice Jesus gave when He died for us. The white shows He washes us clean."
Star
Symbolism: The Star of Bethlehem that guided the wise men
Kid Explanation:
"This star reminds us of the one that appeared in the sky when Jesus was born. It led the wise men to baby Jesus. It’s like a heavenly spotlight showing us where to find the greatest gift ever—God’s Son."
Angel
Symbolism: Messengers of God, bringing the announcement of Jesus’ birth
Kid Explanation:
“An angel told Mary she would have a baby. Another angel told the shepherds that Jesus had been born. Angels were the first to tell the world about Christmas! When we see angels on trees or cards, we remember that God wanted everyone to know about His Son.”
Holly
Symbolism: The crown of thorns and the blood of Jesus
Kid Explanation:
“Holly might look pretty, but did you notice the sharp, pointy leaves? They remind us of the crown of thorns Jesus wore when He died for us. And the red berries? They’re like drops of blood—reminding us how much He loves us.”
Christmas wreath
Symbolism: Eternal life and God’s never-ending love
Kid Explanation:
“A wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end—just like God’s love. It goes on forever! When we hang wreaths on our doors, we’re celebrating that Jesus came to bring us everlasting life.”
Christmas cookies
Symbolism: Sharing joy, creativity, and God's sweetness in our lives
Kid Explanation:
“Baking and decorating cookies is fun, but it’s also a way to share joy with others—just like God shares His goodness with us. Every sprinkle and shape can remind us that Jesus is sweet, and life with Him is meant to be shared!”
How to teach children about symbols
On the eve of Christmas, you can collect all the listed symbols in one bag. You can take out each item and tell me how important it is for this holiday. In such a playful way, children will not only learn something new but will also accurately remember the information about the true meaning of Christmas symbols.
Conclusion
For most people, receiving gifts is the most beautiful and meaningful part of Christmas. But in fact, Christmas was created so that we would not forget about God and how he sacrificed his life for humanity.
Be sure to tell your children about the true meaning of Christmas symbols because every detail in this holiday is present for a reason.
