Christmas 2023: While we wait in anticipation for one of the most wonderful times of the year, it is essential to understand all about this preparation period known as the Advent Season. This is a specific period of anticipation that Christians all over the world observe before December 25th. This is also seen as the period to prepare adherents spiritually and emotionally for the big day.
The meaning and significance of Advent Season
The Advent Season is celebrated around the world among Christians to ignite the spirit of Christmas. The majority of Christian denominations around the world celebrate this interim period that usually begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Beginning from this day, Christians spend time in prayer, preparing themselves emotionally and spiritually. This is done by attending Church services and following some customary rites such as lighting different colored candles. A total of five candles are lit during the Advent on each subsequent Sunday. These represent Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ in the middle. This rite symbolizes that Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love extend from God through Jesus Christ to all God’s people.
Significance of Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, and gifts
Apart from preparing spiritually and emotionally, Advent is also a time when Christians and non-Christians alike decorate their homes and do all the necessary shopping. Usually, at the beginning of the Advent, people begin decorating their houses with wonderful symbolic elements like the Christmas Tree, Santa Claus figures, etc.
A Christmas tree is usually an evergreen pine tree. These can be freshly cut or even artificially made. They are used as both outdoor as well as indoor decorations. People decorate these trees using small hanging ornaments like bells, candy canes, gifts, drums, stars, ferry lights, etc.
Over the years, the mythical figure of Santa Claus has also become an integral part of Christmas decorations. Santa Claus myth revolves around a kind-hearted Saint Nicholas from the 4th century CE. He is imagined as a man dressed in red furry robes who rides a flying sleigh pulled by flying reindeers. Individuals express joy by exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. However, gifts for children in the family are kept under the Christmas tree which they believe to have been placed there by Santa Claus.
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