We’re going to deviate from our usual introduction of the subsequent HEMA/WMA press by going straight to ‘swords as symbols’ … symbols of Christmas actually.
Christmas?
Fidelity, yes.
Strength, absolutely.
Honour, generally.
But a Christmas related virtue?
Specifically, those of compassion, generosity and humility?
One version of the Christmas Sword is attributed to the story of St Martin of Tours. Apparently, about 334 AD, Martin, then a member of the Roman Imperial Guard stationed in Germany, rode out of the city gate, and soon met a near naked 
beggar in the snow. Touched, Martin, having naught but sword and cloak and thus nothing to offer the freezing man, cut his own cloak in half with his sword, and offered a fair share to the unfortunate soul.
This event is celebrated annually, and the ‘Christmas sword’ figures significantly in the culture and heraldry within parts of Europe.
Yes, your sword can represent anything you want it to!
Ave imperator, morituri te salutant … or not.
SLATE (New York, New York) 20 December 13 Gladiator School: Where You Can Fight Like an Ancient Roman (Ella Morton)
For over 20 years, the gladiator school of Romes’ Gruppo Storico Romano has been teaching the delicate art of gladiatorial swordplay to an appreciative, and doubt less well-battered public.
And while the group does not seem to offer a detailed program of study akin to those of its medieval and renaissance peer-salles elsewhere in Europe; it’s heartening to see that there is somebody, somewhere giving serious thought to trying to rediscover the background and intricacies of this lost swordplay art form.
A Declaration of the Obvious?
STRAITS TIMES (Singapore) 18 December 13 Collecting swords a growing and pricey hobby (Carolyn Khew)
Sword collectors in Singapore are catching onto something that the HEMA/WMA community have been suffering through (and benefiting from) for over a decade now … if you want a quality sword, you’re going to have to pay accordingly! Regardless of whether it is a ‘show piece’ or something wonderfully ‘functional’.
And of note, please take note of how the Singapore government regulates the ownership of swords (The Arms and Explosives Act!) and their transport … and compare the last point to that made by Academie Duello Master Devon Boorman in his article: Advice for Having Swords and Bows in Public.
Snippets
A police departments’ gold coated, ceremonial sword get stolen … during an international police meeting called in an effort to … prevent cross-border trafficking of weapons. Sometimes, this stuff just writes itself!
Last, if you really, really want a “real” ‘Christmas sword’ of your own; there is one person that can probably provide you with one … and you won’t have to go to the North Pole to place your order!