| Christmas lights and decorations on the Christmas | | | | ones own spirituality. |
| tree are an important part of the symbolism of | | | | Different Types of Lights and Decorations |
| this special season. Traditionally, the Christmas | | | | The Christmas lights and decorations, as it is with |
| lights and decorations symbolize ones faith as | | | | all things, evolved. With the advent of the light |
| they adorn the Christmas tree or other features | | | | bulb, miniaturized versions, in various colored glass, |
| of the home. | | | | soon found themselves attached to the tree limbs |
| For example the Christmas lights, in the Christian | | | | and served as decorations. Some of the first |
| faith, represent their founder Jesus Christ who | | | | strings of lights had a screw in base and were |
| proclaimed that he was the light of the world. In | | | | roughly one and one-half inches length. These |
| addition, the decorations symbolize the Christians | | | | early style Christmas lights often tried the |
| faith such as stars, angels, representation from | | | | patience of those who trimmed their tree with |
| the manger scene, etc. In addition the decorations | | | | this system. This was due to the fact that once |
| can represent the unity of a family as depicted | | | | one light went out all of the lights went out. This |
| through the use of school picture ornaments, | | | | meant that in order to activate all the lights the |
| school artwork, stringing of popcorn, paper chains, | | | | individual bulb, that had malfunctioned, needed to |
| etc. | | | | be located. |
| History | | | | Then, the silver aluminum tree appeared in homes. |
| The history of Christmas lights and decorations | | | | Often the Christmas lights and decorations that |
| dates back many centuries. Martin Luther is often | | | | were used to trim this tree were simple in nature. |
| attributed with providing the first illumination on | | | | That simplicity was captured through ornaments |
| the Christmas tree through the attachment of | | | | placed on the tree that were in one color and the |
| candles to the branches. Tradition shares with us | | | | lighting was focused on the tree from a flood |
| that this action by Martin Luther was taken to | | | | lamp. The high intensity wattage of the flood lamp |
| teach his children about his savior being the light | | | | was radiated through a revolving multicolored |
| of the world. | | | | plastic wheel. |
| In addition, there are many beliefs, from various | | | | Down through the years Christmas lights and |
| belief systems, that attribute the decoration of | | | | decorations have continued to evolve. This |
| the tree and other parts of the home to | | | | evolutionary process has taken decorative lighting |
| symbolize good luck and the warding off of evil | | | | into fiber optics, running lights and twinkling lights. |
| spirits. For example the placing of holly and | | | | In addition, Christmas lights and decorations have |
| mistletoe over the doorway was a practice | | | | been combined in that the ornament itself is |
| initiated by the Druids to ward off evil spirits. | | | | constructed with miniature size bulbs which allows |
| Therefore, the history of Christmas lights and | | | | for the design of the ornament to light up. These |
| decorations is a combination of many religions and | | | | ornamental designs take on the appearance of |
| belief systems. The use of Christmas lights and | | | | snowmen, candy canes and other holiday designs |
| decorations can represent a variety of different | | | | associated with the Christmas season. |
| cultures, religions and individual expressions of | | | | |