Chad Pecknold , associate professor, theology, was interviewed for a Washington Post story on holiday symbols and how religious they are. See below.

Is this Starbucks cup Christmasy enough? The secret meaning of holiday symbols.

From: Washington Post Date: Nov. 11, 2015 Author: Caitlin Gibson

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Red and green: 10/10

As in, the colors of the new, stripped-down Starbucks holiday cup? As Christmasy as it gets! "Colors have an enormous significance in Christian history and Christian liturgy," Pecknold says. "Red in the church is always associated with Christ's sacrifice - it's always associated with the blood of Christ." As for green, he adds, it may not have a strong liturgical connection, "but we certainly do associate it with Christmas trees." As for Starbucks, he adds: "I like the cup! That's a classy cup."

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Read more about Pecknold's expertise .