Signs and Symbolism-Its Meaning in Christian Art and Tradition

The Renaissance period (12th to 16th century) is perhaps the peak of truly magnificent Christian artistic expression. 

It is in Christian symbolism that the universality of the unspoken language reaches its fullness.  Christians, in their quest for God, attach to words, actions or things, a mystical and spiritual meaning.  In this manner, divine truth is recognized and a deeper insight is given to one's ability to understand God's presence in all creation.  The early Christian saw God in everything.  It naturally followed that, in his eyes, everything was symbolical of God. 

We would like to share with you what we have learned about religious "Signs and Symbols" over the years, that you may understand and appreciate the holy cards, stainglass windows, sculptures and paintings that are so uniquely a part of our heritage as Catholic Christians. 

  "The Origin of the Christmas Tree"

 Many legends and old traditions concerning the Christmas tree date back to very ancient times, but historical documentation of its origins as the tree we know and decorate today only appeared in recent centuries.    

An interesting tradition, part history, part legend and very popular in Germany, claims that the Christmas tree dates back to the eighth century. This legend is based on a historical figure, St Boniface, and even a historical event, the destruction of Odin's oak. St Boniface (675-754) was the English Bishop Winfrid who went to Hesse, Germany in the eighth century, to preach the Christian faith as a missionary from the Church of Rome. After a period of successful Gospel preaching, Boniface went to Rome to confer with Pope Gregory II (715-731). He returned to Geismar, Germany, for Christmas 723, and felt personally offended on discovering that the Germans had reverted to their former idolatry of pagan divinities and were preparing to celebrate the winter solstice by sacrificing a young man under Odin's sacred oak tree. Overcome by holy zeal, as was Jesus at the moneychangers in the Temple, Bishop Boniface took up an axe and dared to cut down the "sacred" oak. This courageous, historically documented act meant the triumph of Christianity in Germany over the pagan divinities.  

The story continues to tell how, at the first blow of the axe, a strong gust of wind instantly brought down 1he tree. The astounded Germans fearfully recognized the Hand of God in this event and humbly asked Boniface how they should celebrate Christmas. The Bishop pointed to a small fir tree that had miraculously remained upright and intact beside the debris and broken branches of the fallen oak. Boniface was familiar with the popular custom of taking an evergreen plant into the house in winter and asked everyone to take home a fir tree. This tree signifies peace, and as an evergreen it also symbolizes immortality; with its top pointing upwards, it additionally indicates heaven, the dwelling place of God.