"Pearly Gates" joke

Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the
Pearly Gates.
“In honor of this holy season, ” Saint Peter said, “you must each
possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into Heaven. ”
The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He
flicked it on. It represents a candle, he said.
“You may pass through the Pearly Hates, ” Saint Peter said.
The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys.
He shook them and said, “They’re bells”. Saint Peter said, “You may
pass through the Pearly Gates. ”
The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and
finally pulled out a pair of women’s panties.
St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, “And just
what do those symbolize? ”
The man replied, “They’re Carol’s. ”