Saturday, December 13, 2008

Gather garden greens for a traditional wreath.

History tells us that the traditional Christmas wreaths are a symbol of faith. Since wreaths are a circle with no beginning or end, they symbolize God's eternity and mercy during the Christmas season. When Christmas Wreaths are decorated with evergreen leaves and branches they symbolize everlasting life and God's everlasting love. Their green color is a representation of hope and new life.


http://www.raftertales.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/christmas-wreath-1.jpg

Evergreen plants, such as holly, ivy and pine, which stay green all year, have long been used to create holiday wreaths. Such greens as holly, ivy, and mistletoe have special meaning since they not only stay green, they bear fruit during the harsh winter months. Anciently people symbolized these plants to represent the promise of new or everlasting life. The people of northern Europe and the Romans decorated their homes with evergreen boughs during their winter festivals. Sprigs of holly would also be exchanged as tokens of good will for the coming new year. The early Greeks and Romans brought green boughs indoors as a living reminder of nature's vitality. The Victorian era brought an appreciation for lavish arrangements from greens such as ivy, hemlock, yew, laurel, and bay.

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