The Twelve Symbols of Christmas: {Christmas} Advent Countdown


A couple of years ago I helped the 16 and 17 year old girls
put together the Twelve Symbols of Christmas for a special family in our congregation.
It was a sweet spin on the Twelve Days of Christmas.

We brainstormed the symbols together and then shopped at Target
for physical representations of each symbol.

We really lucked out in finding inexpensive ornaments and other festive items
for our special gift.
However, we had a really hard time finding a good representation of the Nativity.

So I made one!


And we framed it,
and wrapped it along with the rest of the symbols and left the secret gift
on our special family's doorstep with the instructions to open one gift each night.
The Star
A heavenly sign of a prophecy long, long ago - The shining hope of mankind.

The Evergreen Tree
The second color of Christmas shows everlasting light and life. The needles point up to heaven.

The Bell
Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold, signifying that all are precious in His eyes.

The Candle
A mirror of starlight, reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem.



The Bow
Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.

The Candy Cane
Represents the shape of the shepherd's crook, used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.

The Wreath
A symbol of the never ending eternal value of love… having no end.

Red Ornament
The first color of Christmas, symbolizing the Savior's sacrifice for all.



The Gift
God sent His Son – the greatest gift of all.

The Poinsettia
A Mexican legend tells of a little boy who had nothing to give the baby Jesus. As he prayed, a flower grew at his feet. He quickly picked it and gave it to Jesus.

The Angel
Announced the birth of our Savior.

The Nativity
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.



Attached to each small gift was a numbered envelope and inside was a
little explanation of the precious Christmas symbol.

You can get your 8x10 print of the nativity and the list of all the symbols with their
explanations right HERE!!!!!

And I think it would be so awesome to go entirely handmade with this
and make something to represent each symbol.