Good morning!
I spent some time reading up on the history of the Christmas tree this morning while I drank my tea. My friend Jeff and I are putting together our Christmas carols program and adding new material for this year's presentations. I always enjoy the research as we prepare the songs and stories each year.
The tree is another example of the blending of earlier pagan beliefs with the symbols and beliefs of Christianity as this "new" religion. Mistletoe, holly, a Solstice/winter celebration, the Yule log and many other aspects of earlier traditions found their way into the rituals associated with the celebration of Christ's birth. Early missionaries often found ways to link the old ways to their teachings.
The legend of Saint Boniface is one good example. According to the story, Boniface came upon a group of pagans preparing a human sacrifice at their sacred oak, called Donar's Oak. Boniface took an axe and struck a blow at the tree, which immediately fell. He then pointed to an evergreen as a symbol of the everlasting life promised by the religion he brought to them.
The custom of a decorated and lighted evergreen began in Germany, beginning with a pyramid made of wood and lighted with candles and decorated. Since it was also the custom to bring a small evergreen inside for greenery in the winter months, it's not difficult to see how the lights and decorations moved from the
lichshtock to the evergreen (usually a fir). The idea did not reach American shores until the Victorian era, making its way from Germany to England first. In many instances, the greenery was simply an evergreen bough places on a table and decorated.
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My 2014 tree
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Some years I have a real tree, others years we have an artificial tree, but always I bring in live greenery to decorate my house, continuing the old tradition of "bringing in Christmas."
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| My 2011 tree |
There is nothing like the scent of pine to make me feel the season is truly here. I won't do it just yet, though, because the greens will dry out, and it's still too soon to be decorating in my opinion. I prefer to wait until we've enjoyed Thanksgiving, and then move gradually into the next season. But working on the carols program puts me in the holiday mood, and makes me look forward to the pleasures on the way.
Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.
Lots of good information, we lived in Germany and they really do Christmas well. We always have a real tree, though through the years they've gotten smaller.
ReplyDeleteOur trees are sometimes larger, sometimes smaller too Janet. When I had very bad allergies, we went to an artificial tree. Now I am fine with either, although I prefer a live tree. But a few years back we got an artificial again at an auction, pre-lighted and only $5! I can't resist a bargain like that, so some years we use it. I might have 2 this year--thinking about it, anyway, one real and the fake one.
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures of your trees, Sue!
ReplyDeleteLast year, after not having a tree for several years, I suddenly went wild on Christmas Eve and bought a tree at my Farmers Co-op...they had TWO left, both big, beautiful firs.
I thoroughly enjoyed that tree every day and night for weeks! I think the "late" timing was actually perfect, because January and February were pretty tough last year, and I had the sight of the tree and those beautiful lights (I only used lights, they were just right!) to hearten me up during chores at the end of every long, cold day. I probably took a hundred pictures of it, from the barn.
I certainly want a tree this year, but I don't know if I'll be brave enough to wait for Christmas Eve...we'll see :)
Lots of good information there. For several years I used to lead groups of walkers in the Brecon Beacons mountains in Wales. here, way up in the hills and far from anyone's home, we regularly found a small fir tree which had been decorated - I never found out who did it or why.
ReplyDeleteI love that image, John :)
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