Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year, and one of the things that really lets everyone know Christmas time has returned is the decorations, well that and the endless carols, food, presents along with the fact that everybody keeps talking about it. Hence, Christmas is most definitely on its way, if you haven’t prepared yourself for it, well we at Sir Holiday will hope for a holiday miracle on your behalf. However, the reason we are here is because of how decorations help bring this holiday to life; one decoration that is especially integral to the festive season is none other than a wreath. But the question came to us all, wondering why we use wreaths during Christmas at all and so let’s find out the history behind wreaths during the most magical time of the year.

Well, our wreaths can stretch their origin all the way back to the time of Ancient Rome, after the Roman army had achieved victory in a battle, their families at home would decorate the streets as a symbol of their triumphs. Moving a little further on in history, Celts and other Gothic cultures would gather sprigs of holly tie them together and then burn them during the times of the winter solstice so as to guarantee a prosperous and healthy spring for the next year. Thus, we have learned so far that wreaths can be used as a symbol for the victorious year you and your family have had or as a way of ensuring that you will have a good spring, maybe even some rain for the following year.

The Christian Church adopted these practices when formalizing the tradition of Christmas for all Christians everywhere, but the Christmas wreaths really took off after the Germanic traditions of producing really ornate decorations. German wreaths bowled over the rest of the Europe with their four candles at each of the cardinal points and then one in the middle of the wreath. There is a tradition that goes along with these wreaths, the tradition involves a family lighting one of the candles one by one in the four weeks leading up to Christmas and with the final candle being lit on the big day itself. Often families say a prayer, list the things they are thankful or just share many of the beautiful memories they’re family has made together when the candle has been lit.

The circular shape of the wreath for Christians is meant to symbolize the rebirth of Jesus Christ, however for those who do not observe the Christian ceremony then a wreath can be seen as a symbol of eternity, immortality and the continual rebirth of life. The branches used to hold the wreath together were often plucked from trees that did not die during winter, therefore the symbolism appeared of the earth never truly dying even with the iciness of winter, in much the same way as despite the cold we live on as well.

For all of your holiday information and more visit Sir Holiday today.

Merry Christmas link:

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/12/12/16/26/christmas-3015043_960_720.jpg

Candle ceremony link:

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/12/03/21/08/advent-2995883_960_720.jpg