When I was a child, my family used to alternate between displaying and decorating a Christmas tree one year and a nativity scene the next. While the meaning of the nativity scene was fairly obvious, as time went on I started to think the Christmas tree was nothing more than a means of providing a space for gifts to congregate under.

Later in life I discovered that the tree was one of many unique Christian symbols that appear at Christmas. Take for example the candy cane, which is shaped like the letter ‘J’ to represent the shepherd’s staff, in honour of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. And it’s coloured with red and white stripes to remind us of Jesus’ sacrifice (red) and his purity (white).

So it was a pleasant surprise when I eventually discovered that the Christmas tree symbolised the new life that came into the world on that first Christmas, a life which spread its branches far and wide over all of humanity.

The image of new life is one often invoked in Catholic rituals and imagery. Of course, we witness it at Baptism, and at Easter particularly. But what does the idea of ‘new life’ mean for each of us, who can only live and die once?

In his letter to the Ephesians, St Paul explains:

“You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, it’s an opportunity to start afresh, to take on a ‘new life’ of sorts in the way we act and in our journey of faith.

There’s no doubt Christmas will be a hectic, busy season for many of us. But I encourage you to make time to pause and reflect on the parts of your life that need to be renewed this year.

Wishing all our readers a blessed Advent season and a joy-filled Christmas.

Further Reading

The Symbols of Christmas Explained (Townsville Catholic Education)

Advent and Christmas (Commentary) (Catholic Australia)

Image: Lightstock
Words: Matthew Biddle