Have you ever wondered why the colors red and green are associated with Christmas? Well, it started out as a pagan tradition but during the 4th century the Catholic Church turned it into something more symbolic.

Some say the colors came from the Paradise Story told every Christmas Eve where the trees were adorned with red apples. But the most common decoration we see are the hollies, whose colors seem to stand out during the winter season. “It is said that only the holly tree consented to be cut down and its wood made into a cross to bear Jesus. Some Christians believe that Jesus wore a crown of holly thorns whose berries were originally white. As Jesus’ blood touched the berries, they turned red. The green leaves of the holly plant have come to represent everlasting life and the berries the blood of Jesus.¹ 

The verse taken from Isaiah 46:10 says: “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure”. Declaring the end from the beginning would seem to explain the use of holly as the symbol of Christ’s birth and subsequently, His death and resurrection.

Christmas is the busiest season in the Philippines but amidst all the hustle and bustle, it is good to be reminded about the greatest gift one could ever receive this year, that is the gift of salvation.

So the next time you choose your decorations for Christmas, make sure you do not leave out the hollies and be reminded about the real meaning of this holiday season. A blessed Christmas to everyone!

1 BBC Religion, Christmas Traditions 

This article appears in the December 2015 issue of TLA Blaze. Click here to view or download a copy of this newsletter.