Others say the red cardinal symbolizes lost loved ... Many early German Christmas trees were adorned with acorn ornaments to symbolize the little acorn becoming the mighty oak.

Bush said it was his wife Laura who chose the painting to feature on both the Bush Center's Christmas card and ornament. "Laura liked the bright red on the cardinal and the greens of the foliage ...

Not only do cardinal images grace greeting cards, but they’re also common on Christmas ornaments, figurines, wrapping paper — and on calendars as the “pinup” for December. Indeed ...