on a column with names in spiral of the predecessors of the Messiah down to
Abraham. This column is surrounded by chains which symbolize the slavery of man to a
mystery of evil and sin, from which the Son of God has come to free us. This mystery of
evil is symbolized by the head of a serpent which is being crushed by the column.
We hear it at Christmas midnight Mass, in the second reading from the apostle Paul:
'
The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all men. It trains us to reject
godless ways and wordly desires, and to live temperately, justly, and dev
outly in this age as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the
great God and of our Savior Christ Jesus. It was he who sacrificed himself for us, to
redeem us from all unrighteousness and to cleanse for himself a people of his own, eager
to do what is right.'
From the letter of Paul to Titus, 2,11-14.
* Complete guide to the history and Christian symbolism