Why Do Christmas Angel Tree Toppers Hold Two Candles in Their Hands

Christmas, a season filled with joy, lights, and decorations, brings families together to celebrate love and togetherness. Among the myriad of holiday decorations, the Christmas tree stands as a central emblem, adorned with a variety of ornaments and lights, and often crowned with an angel tree topper. There are many types of Christmas angel tree toppers, traditional classic angels, black angels, vintage angels, fabric angels, glass angels, etc. A closer look at these angel tree toppers reveals an interesting detail: many of them hold two candles in their hands. We all know that the star represents the Star of Bethlehem, but what about the candles? Why? why do angels hold up two candles in their hands? What is the origin of such a design? In this article, I want to share some of my own Christmas tree topper decorations and explain the significance of doing that.

For years I have decorated my Christmas tree with an old vintage angel. Until last year, her bulb stopped glowing and I had to buy a new one to replace it. By the way, this new angel is really pretty, she is an African American Black animated angel and when I flip the switch, the wings on her back move gently, looks like a real angel descending on my Christmas tree. I like that she is holding candles and not something like two bulbs.

What do candles symbolize?

I love the combination of the two elements of angels and candles, not only because they are traditional Christmas tree decorations, but also because the candles represent so much.

First, a candle emits light when it burns, burning itself to illuminate others. In the same way, Christ is the light of the world who gave his life for others so that they might have life. The candle also represents the “light” that Jesus brought into the world at his birth. Through his birth, life, death, and resurrection, he illuminated the darkness for us. The candle is therefore considered the light of Christ, symbolizing hope, guidance, and divine presence.

Second, a candle is a sign that someone is praying. Lighting a candle to pray or meditate helps to express our faith and communicate with God and the angels who serve him.

My priest once told me that when you light a candle in prayer, angels will repeat it for as long as the candle burns. If you fall asleep saying your rosary, your angel finishes it for you. I know that’s not any official belief of the Church, but it is so sweet. And this is the reason I chose the angel tree topper with candles. When my family and I gathered under the tree, praying, and then lit the tree, the angel held the candles and waved her wings as if they were responding to us, it was such a beautiful scene.

Thirdly, candles are closely linked to our culture. They are used for rituals in the liturgy of various Christian churches, as well as in Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Hindu rituals and practices. Candles are also used in the celebration of Kwanzaa, an African-American holiday that runs from December 26th to January 1st. On each day of Kwanzaa, light a candle for that day’s principle on your candleholder (Kinara)

Fourth, candles represent peace and goodwill. I read an article about candles in windows. It mentioned that in colonial America, some would light candles in their windows and use them to signal to strangers that there would be food and shelter there, should they ask. It really brought tears to my eyes. There are still inns that use candles to announce availability and direct travelers to the door. Whether it’s a home or an inn, the point is that this expresses a welcome to those who visit.

Why is the angel tree topper holding two candles?

I mean, why not one or more? Guess it looks more balanced with candles on both hands. Jaja, Just kidding. Two candles can emphasize the dual nature of Christ – divine and human – and remind us that Christ is both human and divine.

Final Thoughts

The tradition of decorating Christmas trees with candles and angel tree toppers is steeped in history and symbolism. But whether it’s an angel tree topper, a Star of Bethlehem tree topper, or a Moravian star tree topper, the most important thing is to truly understand the spiritual significance of the holiday season, as well as spreading hope and love. Thanks for reading. Merry Christmas!