The custom of putting candles in windows is an old one. People light them on Christmas Eve as a guide to the Christ child. In ancient days, some people thought that holly would ward off evil spirits. Christians came to believe that the berries stood for the blood Christ shed. The leaves stood for his crown of thorns.
Evergreens stay green all year and bear fruit in the winter.
For this reason, they are a symbol of never-ending life. The first creche, or manger scene, was created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1224. He used live animals and people in his scene. Today, many manger scenes are smaller models made of wood or china or other materials. Then in Germany they began putting them in the shape of a circle.