Christmas Altar: Nativity Scene, Evergreens, and Gift Symbols

BY NICOLE LAU

The Christmas altar is where sacred birth becomes visible, where divine love takes tangible form, and where December 25th transforms into a celebration of the incarnation and the light entering the world. Creating a Christmas altar turns your space into a temple of birth, love, and wonder.

The Philosophy of the Christmas Altar

A Christmas altar serves multiple purposes: It creates sacred space for celebrating Christ's birth. It honors the incarnation - divine becoming human. It celebrates love, generosity, and new beginnings. It becomes a focal point for worship and contemplation. It invites wonder, joy, and divine presence.

The Nativity Scene: Centerpiece of Sacred Birth

The nativity scene should be your altar's centerpiece. Include Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, angels, and the Magi. The stable, animals, and star complete the scene. Some add figures gradually - Mary and Joseph first, Jesus on Christmas Eve, Magi on Epiphany. The nativity makes the Christmas story visible and tangible. It invites contemplation of the humble circumstances of divine birth.

Evergreens: Life Persisting

Evergreen boughs are essential to a Christmas altar. Use pine, fir, holly, or ivy. Arrange them abundantly around the nativity and altar. Their green color represents eternal life and life persisting through winter. They connect to Christ's promise of eternal life. Fresh evergreens bring nature's vitality indoors. Replace them as they dry to keep the altar alive.

The Star: Divine Guidance

Include a star on your altar, representing the Star of Bethlehem. This can be placed above the nativity, on the tree, or as a separate symbol. The star represents divine guidance, the announcement of sacred birth, and light in darkness. It reminds us that the divine guides seekers to truth.

Wrapped Gifts: Generosity and Love

Display wrapped gifts on or near your altar. These represent the Magi's gifts to Jesus and the spirit of generosity. They symbolize God's gift of Christ to humanity. The gifts make love tangible and visible. As you give them away, replace with new ones, keeping the altar active and flowing.

Colors and Aesthetics

Traditional Christmas colors: Red and green (traditional Christmas colors, life and sacrifice). Gold and white (divinity, purity, light). Blue (Mary's color, heaven). Use these colors in your altar cloth, candles, and decorations. The aesthetic should feel both festive and sacred.

Altar Arrangement

Step 1: Choose Location - Select a prominent, accessible space. Ensure it can accommodate the nativity scene. Make it a focal point for celebration.

Step 2: Create the Base - Cover with red, green, gold, or white cloth. Create a stable, beautiful foundation. Ensure safety for candles.

Step 3: Place the Nativity - Position the nativity scene centrally as focal point. Arrange figures thoughtfully. Make it the altar's heart.

Step 4: Add Evergreens - Place boughs abundantly around the nativity. Create a lush, natural feel. Let them frame and honor the scene.

Step 5: Include the Star - Position star prominently above or near nativity. Make it visible and meaningful. It represents divine guidance.

Step 6: Display Gifts - Arrange wrapped gifts beautifully. Make generosity visible. They represent love made tangible.

Candles: Light of the World

Include candles on your altar. White candles represent Christ as Light of the World. Gold candles represent divinity. Red candles represent love and sacrifice. Light them during prayers and celebrations. The candles make the 'light entering darkness' theme visible.

Angels: Heavenly Messengers

Include angel figures or imagery. Angels announced Christ's birth to shepherds. They represent divine messages, protection, and the connection between heaven and earth. Angels remind us that the sacred birth was announced with joy.

Using Your Altar

Pray or meditate before your altar daily during Christmas season. Light candles and contemplate the nativity. Read the Christmas story. Sing carols. The altar is active, not static - it's meant to be used for worship, contemplation, and celebration.

The Christmas Eve Ritual

On Christmas Eve, perform a special altar ritual. Light all candles. Place baby Jesus in the manger (if you've been waiting). Gather family or friends. Read the nativity story. Sing 'Silent Night' or another carol. This activates the altar's full power for Christmas Day.

Blessing Your Altar

When complete, bless your altar: Light candles and say: 'I bless this altar of sacred birth and divine love. May it honor Christ's incarnation and celebrate the light entering the world. May it remind me that the divine becomes human, heaven touches earth, and love takes tangible form. Blessed be this Christmas altar.' Visualize the altar glowing with sacred birth energy.

Maintaining Your Altar

Keep your altar tended through the Twelve Days of Christmas. Replace candles as needed. Keep evergreens fresh. Add elements as inspired. The altar should feel alive and sacred. After Epiphany, you can transition it or maintain elements through winter.

Conclusion

The Christmas altar is more than decoration - it's a sacred space that makes the incarnation visible, honors the sacred birth, and creates a focal point for celebrating divine love becoming tangible. Every element placed with intention becomes an offering to the mystery of God becoming human.

As you create your Christmas altar, remember: you're building a temple of sacred birth, a space where heaven touches earth and divine love takes human form. Let it shine with wonder and joy.