What's the best Christmas symbol for you and why?
By silverjam
@silverjam (969)
United States
November 23, 2008 8:40pm CST
In my senior year in high school we were asked to make a composition in our leteriture class to write what we consider as the best christmas symbol and why? Most of my classmates chose christmas cards, christmas carol/songs, christmas decors and christmas lanterns. I chose "The Belen".
Its a picture of the newly born baby Jesus w/ his parents in a manger sorounded by sheeps and their sheeperds. I chose it because it reminds us the ultimate purpose of christmas; the birth of a sinless child who incarnated through a human body to save everyone; to offer His life that all human race might have redemption from sin. Its a true gift no one can ever offer. In a larger sense, it depects christmas as more on giving than receiving; for there is no trace of greediness in the plan of salvation through that humble birth thousands of years ago.
Another is the symbol of humility. As we all knew, He is the Lord but he opted to be born in a manger, not even in a poor man's room. It tells us that to celebrate such occassion one doesn't have to be spendthrift and extravagance. Love doesn't have to be expensive but more to be felt in one's heart. It depects the message of meekness and humility that child in the manger wants to tell everyone.
What about you? Am sure you have different christmas symbols you like most. Would you like to share it to us?
3 people like this
17 responses
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I think that the dollar sign is the most appropriate symbol of christmas or any sign that can sybolize greed. Everyone has forgotten the true purpose of christmas. Every christmas all I hear is how little everyone received this year. "I only got...I wanted...." You're lucky you got anything!!! And people only care about giving because they are socially rewarded for giving. If you give an expensive gift, it shows that you are wealthy. Christmas has turned into a selfish and greedy holiday. And most of those who do help those less fortunate seem to only be doing it, so that they can feel good about themselves; they don't really care about those people. I know that anyone who reads this is just going to say bah humbug to me, but I don't care, it's true.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Wow. I'm surprised u gave me BR. I was actually expecting to be yelled at for being so negative or whatever. Well thanks.
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
No I don't (say humbug to you) in fact I rated you BEST RESPONSE because of what you wrote, you did it! That's what I was exactly waiting for....somebody to hit the nail of what am trying to emphasized here. I totally agree w/ you that nowadays christmas is no longer felt the way it should be (joyous anf filled w/ real love) but instead it gradually turned out to be "selfish and greedy holidays". People are rushing and crowding in malls for material things. Most are having anxieties due to worries on what to have, what to give and where to get money for it.
It could not also be denied that there are people who only give for the sake of fame and reward and that they really don't care to do so at all. Hypocrasy is commonly seen in this occassion. And although you sound quite radical in expressing your opinion, I commend you for being honest about it. Advance Merry Christmas!
@alyssa_c (440)
• Philippines
24 Nov 08
It would still have to be the Christmas Tree for me. I couldn't remember having christmas without it, and it is also where we put our presents under so the tree is a must. Every year, we gather around the living room and have pictures taken with the tree. I guess it will be forever a tradition for me to have the tree every year.
1 person likes this
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I agree, cristmas trees are such very nice traditional symbol to celebrate christmas. I used to decorate ours every year when christmas is approaching, sadly I just can't by now because we don't have one here in the USA where I am now. I don't even know if people at home will still be putting it back the way I did it before when I was still in the Phils.
Its also very exciting to open gifts put under those trees at christmas eve; its such an awesome experience of joy and family bonnding to gather everyone around the tree and open each presents. Honestly I miss those things I usually experience at home every christmas season.
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I believe that the Nativity is my favorite Christmas symbol! I think that it explains the meaning of Christmas and that we all need to remember what Christmas is! I like snowmen and Santas but the Nativity is the real reason for the season. It sounds like you feel the same way.
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
yes I feel quite the same way you do too. The Belen w/c I chose aso symbolized nativity I guess. I hope you have broaden a little of your explaination on why you really like that symbol. Anyway advance merry christmas!
@mods196621 (3652)
• Philippines
24 Nov 08
I like the star at the top of the christmas tree. For me it was symbolize of the greatness above us. And that was also the truth the star was place above. But for me the coming of the greatest upon the Great and it was our Savior Jesus Christ. He was sent to us by His Father in heaven to redeemed us from sin. When I saw this star I always have hope that one day I will meet Him in the place where I could ever dreamed. And that was Hi Paradise.
In the simple way of representing star for me it was so beautiful to look up feeling that i'll always like a child and nothing to think of so many complicated things in life, no problem and feeling free to any situational era. How I love the twinkling star.
1 person likes this
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Great! I like the stars too specially the stars in the christmas lanterns. I guess every christmas symbol has some significant meaning to every individual, I like it how you explained why you like the stars most. It entails greatness of faith for the One whom we owe everything we have in this life. Am sure most of your christmas decors ( if any ) are having stars in them. Advance merry chhristmas!
@mods196621 (3652)
• Philippines
24 Nov 08
I don't have any yet. But I'm assure you it will be all stars! I like the star really. I always looked up the sky at night when there are lots of twinkling stars above. They are beautiful! 
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Of course I do too, who wouldn't like to have some or even one? (present). When I was a child am really very happy when its December, what I always thought about that month are the gifts either from my parents, godparents or eve just the content of the exchanged gifts w/c we usually have in school during christmas parties. It always excites me seeing something being wrapped and given to me, and the excitement of opening it is just amazing.
However, like you said, the greatest gift one can have is the gift of eternal life offered by the saviour. Everyone can have that gift for free and no need to worry of what present they may have this christmas. Advance merry christmas!
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I wonder if Hindus also ceebrate christmas like we christians do....am really not sure. But am glad you feel the concept of having christmas symbols and specially feeling the merrimment of such occassion. Yes, its a fun-filled festival, everybody prepares for it in fact there are countries that celebrate christmas longer from September through December.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
24 Nov 08
Ihave always loved the Christmas angel, and everything that glitters, I love glitter so everything of mine at Christmas just has to have glitter on it...I make my own cards on the computer and there has to be somepart that has to have glitter on it...
here is my christmas angel I have put on my cards this year and i have glittered the wings...
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Wow that's nice....and yes itsa good hobby collecting glittering stuffs on christmas. I bet you always want to shine.....lol! may you have a bright glittering christmas soon. Advance merry christmas!
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
We have the same choice my friend.....advance merry christmas!
1 person likes this
@Bebs08 (10681)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Wow!! you have a good idea of Christmas symbol. I can not even think of one. 
ah well, the only thing I am reminded that it is Christmas is the giving and receiving of gifts. Most people really save their money and spend it for a gift to someone they love. I can also remember the 3 kings who traveled far looking for the newborn baby to give their gifts. I can imagine that people are very generous during Christmas. Even if they have just enough money for themselves, they would manage to slice their budget just to buy something to give. People who received it are happy too. That is what most people said, give love on Christmas day. If you have love you have a heart to give gifts.
ah well, the only thing I am reminded that it is Christmas is the giving and receiving of gifts. Most people really save their money and spend it for a gift to someone they love. I can also remember the 3 kings who traveled far looking for the newborn baby to give their gifts. I can imagine that people are very generous during Christmas. Even if they have just enough money for themselves, they would manage to slice their budget just to buy something to give. People who received it are happy too. That is what most people said, give love on Christmas day. If you have love you have a heart to give gifts.@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
You reminded me of my most favorite christmas song (Give Love on Christmas Day), I like it very much and am humming myself w/ the radio once its played. yes that's true, love is the most valuable gift one can give in this season, its costless but once given its so magical.
Yes christmas is the time of giving and people generally generous during this time. Even ahead of time everyone is already thinking of gifts they will be giving. Malls and department stores will be very crowded w/ people shopping, and yes even if people are so constrained w/ money they always make it a point to buy something for gifts and preparations for this big event.
How would it be more meaningful if everybody thinks on reflecting the true spirit of christmas instead of material things w/c sometimes leads to greediness. Nothing's wrong w/ spending yet hopefully giving love on christmas day could be very rewarding over tangible gifts one can have.
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
24 Nov 08
i would think is the star on the christmas tree. as i am living in an asian country and never really have the xmas atmosphere, my christmas impression were form from storybooks and movies. i would relate snow, xmas tree and santa claus together. In my childhood, i always love a white xmas and the star on the xmas tree is always so beautiful to me.
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Do you mean there's no such christmas celebration in the country where you are now? I hope you will have experience also some of the christmas practices we are having always. But I guess you do as well, in fact you cited stars in a christmas tree is your favorite symbol. Advance merry christmas!
@sfapjptp (64)
• Philippines
24 Nov 08
hmmm...just moving out of the box, my christmas symbol is the leche flan. (huh?)
It is something I can eat only when this day comes. It symbolizes how sweet God's gift is. My family makes this leche flan as it also symbolizes the closeness of my family (yup, each of us doing their part), God's blessing to us that he took care for the whole year of good family relationship.
teehee! ^_^
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Wow sounds yummy huh!....but at least you symbolized it w/ the sweet gifts God was giving us not only on christmas but on our daily lives. I bet you'll be eating a lot of leche flans this coming christmas.....hope you eat moderately not to become obese (joke)...happy eating, advance merry christmas!
@carmelsuarez (329)
• Philippines
24 Nov 08
Christmas lights are the best. I love 'em. I could stand an hour watching the lights. of course I like the others too.
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Yes christmas lights are great too. They are the ones making christmas lanterns and other decors brightened and glittered. I hope you had further shared w/ us why you like them more than the other christmas symbols. Advance merry christmas!
@silverjam (969)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Yes I like to have christmas trees too, in fact I decorated ours every year when christmas is approaching. But can you be able to share it w/ us here why you like it?
@aquaroan1365 (83)
• United States
27 Nov 08
best christmas symbol for me is the star, why coz remember the three kings? the star was their guide looking for baby Jesus who is the savior of mankind and also their is the saying that you can wish upon a star, and shine so bright in the evening
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Nov 08
Baby Jesus, I guess because they always depict him as cute, sweet, and sleeping with a small piece of cloth in a wooden box on some kind of legs and sometimes even some hay underneath him. It's the peacefulness, I think. I wish I would have such peace asleep or awake.
@fotzepolitic (62)
• Philippines
25 Nov 08
For me, the ultimate Christmas symbol is the Nativity scene or "Belen" as what most Catholics call it. Why? Because this is where the celebration of Christmas had originated. Without the nativity or the birth of the Child Jesus in the manger, there would be no Christmas to celebrate at all.
