Two children were overheard talking about the words in some old Christmas carols. "What's figgy pudding?" one asked. "And bells on Bob's tail ring - who's Bob?' commented the other. They weren’t trying to be funny, but their confusion speaks for many of us who don’t know the meaning and origins of many of our Christmas customs.
Without any understanding of the faith-foundation of our religious traditions, it is easy to dismiss their relevance in our lives today. We follow them now because they’re familiar, and "It just wouldn't be Christmas” without them. As adult Catholics, however, we are called to an awareness of why we do what we do.
For example, the Jesse Tree: the Jesse Tree dates back to the Middle Ages and came from Europe. Even some ancient cathedrals have Jesse Tree designs in their stained glass windows. The "tree" is usually a branch decorated with various symbols that remind us of the promises of God, from Creation to the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Jesse was the father of King David of Israel, and God promised David that his Kingdom would last forever. Two centuries after the death of King David, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said:
“… a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. “
Jesus is that bud Isaiah was talking about, and so the Jesse Tree helps us make the connection between the Old Testament prophecies and Christmas.
Another traditional item is our Advent Wreath. The Advent Wreath originated in Germany about 500 years ago. The wreath is round as a symbol of God's eternity and mercy, and it is made of evergreens to symbolize God's "ever-lastingness" and our immortality. Green is also the Church's color of hope and new life. Representing the four weeks of Advent are four candles: three purple ones which represent penance, sorrow, and expectation, and one rose candle which represents hope and coming joy. Wreaths are an ancient symbol of victory and symbolize the "fulfillment of time" in the coming of Christ and the glory of His birth.
You may also have noticed that the clergy wear purple vestments during Advent, just as they do during Lent. This is a reminder of the reflective nature of Advent – a season that some have referred to as a “little Lent” because we are called to be mindful of our sinfulness even as we joyfully prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming.
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