The Christmas tree is very much a religious Christian symbol, even though people of many faiths and faith levels decorate one in their homes and delight in seeing them around town and in public settings simply because it “feels Christmassy.” The lights themselves are a very important symbol of the coming of Christ — believers recognize this already. In the early days of the Church and Christmas trees (which has origins representing the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden), the lit candles on and around the tree symbolized the Eternal Light — Jesus — coming into to this world and into our hearts.
Which is why no matter where you go in the world, you’re bound to see festive lights, strung up to celebrate the season of Christ, and bring cheer to our souls — and not just on pine trees, but on buildings and streets. And spectacular ones at that.
Let these stunning displays from around the world and across the U.S. remind us that Christ, whether we realize it or not, is all around us …
Moscow, Russia
St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, Australia
https://www.instagram.com/p/Brgayu8nw31/
Porto, Portugal
Berlin, Germany
Tokyo, Japan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrZD-JUAbRw/
Midrand, South Africa
Piazza Castello, Turin, Italy
Milan, Italy
Basilica of Saint Antonio, Padua, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN-ZbAKBEWH/
London, England
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN927diAh4L/
Downtown London, England
Paris, France
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOSCXFuAD86/
Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Maincy, France
Budapest, Hungary
Belfast, Ireland
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN-aqHmD_Wm/
Stockholm, Sweden
Plaza Romania, Bucharest, Romania
Victoria Harbor, British Columbia
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOQPp0mjj9l/
Cleveland, Ohio
Salt Lake City, Utah
Denver, Colorado
Rockefeller Center, New York, NY
Austin, Texas
Coconut Grove, Florida
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOQTu8xg9Gu/
La Salette, Attleboro, Massachusetts
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrdBU-Onw8i/
And today we celebrate...