German Christian Holiday (Christmas) Decoration - "Weihnachtspyramide"

This is a German Christian candleholder/whirligig, called a "Weihnachtspyramide." The candleholder is used most often for Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The pyramid uses the heat a candle generates to rotate a fan, which will then move delicately carved figurines and images around in a circle. The center of the tier in the larger levels will be stationary, containing a central figure such as the Christ child.

Around 1800, mainly around Christmas time, pyramid-shaped light trestles, pole pyramids, appeared around the Berlin area. In the second half of the 19th century, Christmas pyramids became popular in home Christmas celebrations. Christianity has always associated light with God. Therefore, candles and light have become a very important part of many Christian rituals.

The Christian faith is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus or Christ. Jesus, (7–2 BC/BCE – 30–36 AD/CE), is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christian denominations venerate him as God the Son.

The principal sources of information regarding Jesus are the four canonical gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The gospels declare that Jesus was a Jew born in Bethlehem, in the Roman province of Judea. At the age of 30, he began to preach throughout Palestine, which was then under Roman rule. The gospels describe miracles that Jesus performed such as raising the dead.

Most critical historians agree that Jesus was a Jew who was regarded as a teacher and healer. He was crucified in Jerusalem, on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire. Christians believe that Jesus then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, from which he will return.


Source:
Source cited: Wohlfahrt, Kathe. “Pyramids.” Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum GmbH. The Christmas Museum. 31 May 2013. Document URL: http://www.christmasmuseum.com/e/hyper_pyr02.asp?spr=e&a=10 http://www.christkindl-markt.com/german-candle-pyramids-candle-carousel-history-a-1.html "Light, Liturgical Use of." New Catholic Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. Vol. 8. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 580-582. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 May 2013. Document URL: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE|CX3407706726&v=2.1&u=lapl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w