festive lights

While the custom of decoration a Christmas tree is a relatively recent phenomenon, the celebration of Christmas is old. 

The festival at Christmas time was known in the most ancient Mysteries of all religions everywhere and has always been celebrated. It is not merely an outer sun festival, but one that leads man to a divination of the sources of existence. 

Signs & Symbols of the Christmas Festival

It was celebrated annually by the highest initiates in the Mysteries at the time of year - when the sun's force was weakest and bestowed the least warmth upon the earth. 

An ever-flowing river of love weaves through all generations. At times we may need to dive deep beneath to find it. Trust that when all else fades and is gone - love remains. 

Rudolf Steiner, founder of anthroposophy, lectured on the signs and symbols used to decorate a Christmas tree - incorporating spiritual and esoteric meanings. According to his diagram, symbolic ornaments represent stages of human and cosmic evolution. 

evolutionary path upward

Today, we follow these same rhythms of the sun with our festivals. In Christianity Christ Jesus, a Sun Hero, brings light into the dark winter through our very souls if we accept Him. In much older times Yuletide meant a liminal period, a time for reflection and to await the sun’s return. 

The Christmas tree symbolizes the Tree of Life, which represents all material nature in the Earthly realm. Steiner also offers symbols to adorn the tree which represent the stages of earthly and human evolution. 

The Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree is selected each year by head gardener, Erik Pauze

In Festivals of the Seasons, Steiner further elaborates on the meaning of the Christmas tree as not only representing the evolution of humanity, but also the meaning of the Holy Trinity itself. 

The Christ is born three times: 1) once as God the Father, the Word, the Logos Who permeates the world; 2) once as Man with the birth of Jesus Christ and Christianity; and 3) again and again, within the souls of those who can awaken the Word of the Spirit in their innermost being - the Holy Spirit. 

London's famous Trafalgar Square Christmas tree lights up for the 78th time

Finally, all that permeates the cosmos is present in man and is symbolized in the pentagram at the top of the tree. The deepest meaning of the pentagram is the star of mankind - of mankind's evolution. It is the star that all wise men follow as did the priest-sages in ancient ages.

It symbolizes the earth that is born on the Night of Consecration - when the most sublime light radiates from the deepest darkness. Resounding from the Christmas celebration, from which the spiritual light radiates. Let us celebrate Christmas as the festival of the most lofty ideal of the Idea of Mankind. 

our hometown Christmas tree at the neighborhood mall

In our souls we rejoice with confidence - we too shall experience the birth of the higher man within our self. The birth of the Savior, the Christos, will take place in all. 

That is the promise of Christmas that we all hope to attain. May we collect our year's merits this Christmas season. A blessed holiday to all!