Wednesday, December 6, 2006

December 6

The Christmas Tree

                                          

The first Christmas tree

The first Christmas tree started with St. Boniface (born Winfrid in 680).  He was a British monk and missionary to Germany.  Boniface found it difficult people were attracted to Christianity but unable to give up their religion and superstitions, perhaps out of fear of being different or of how the old Viking "gods" would react.  Much of the worship of these persons was centered around sacred trees at which they practiced sacrifices and made offerings to the gods.

Knowing that the people needed reason to let go, Boniface called the tribes to a display of power.  Preaching about the birth of Jesus under a great sacred tree dedicated to Thor, he found himself facing an angry, armed crowd.  As the people watched, Boniface approached the giant oak of Geismar, a sacred tree dedicated to Thor, with an axe.  He began to chop the oak tree but nothing happened.  Finally with a crack, the tree split in four parts and fell to the ground in the shape of a cross.  All the trees around were crushed except a single small fir tree.  There stood St. Boniface, axe in hand, unharmed by their old gods, strong in the power of the One God.

It is said that he used that small triangular fir tree as an illustration of the birth of Christ, and of the Trinity (because of it's shape), telling the story of how the One God sent his Son to save the world from sin.  Small fir trees were hung upside down from the rafters of homes and churches as a symbol of Christianity from the twelfth century.  They later became decorated with apples and sweets, and tradition has it that Martin Luther put candles on a tree for his children.  

 

The first Christmas trees in America

The claim of the Pennsylvania Germans to have initiated the Christmas tree custom in America is undisputed today.  And it's in the diary of Matthew Zahm of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the date December 20, 1821, that the Christmas tree and it's many decorations received their first mention in the New World.  

It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the Christmas tree was adopted so late in America.  To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred.  The Pilgrim's second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out "pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity.  The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against the "heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated that "sacred event".  

Sources:

The Origins of the Christmas Tree    

The Legends of Bishop Boniface of Mainz  

 

Decorating your Christmas Tree

                           

Decorating Trees Florida Style

How To Decorate an Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree 

 

games:  The Christmas Tree Game (challenging)

              Decorate the Christmas Tree

              Remember the Colorforms you used to play as a child?  They were so fun!  Now you can play them online!:

              Elle's Decorate the Living Room!

              Another Living Room to Decorate from Elle 

               Decorate My Living Room!

 

Gospel reading:  Matthew 15:29-37

             

 

7 comments:

  1. Very interestring Krissy. Thanks for sharing. Helen

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  2. wow, now that is very interesting. I never knew any of this. thank you for sharing. ((((((((hugs)))))))))
    Cindy

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  3. ((((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))))))))))))Thank you for sharing,I didnt know any of this either.You must do alot of research.HAve a ncie day.


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  4. Hi, Krissy !  

    Kayla and I are enjoying your Christmas journal very much ... I've passed it along to several more friends and relatives, too.  My mom lived in the Fort Lauderdale area ( Plantation ) for over 12 years, so we really liked your post on Florida style ornaments.  God Bless you and John ... all your work and effort in creating this beautiful journal is much appreciated by many !  Love, Cathy  : )

    http://www.serendipitymom.com

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  5. I had been wanting to know more about the origin of the Christmas tree and why it is at the first day of winter though Christ Jesus may have been born in the summer.     I really have not read anything more than that so don't quote me,  lol.     Christmas is all about Jesus which is the main point.     Thank you for posting your research as I found it very interesting.      mark

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  6. I just might have to go play colorforms now!
    Enjoyed reading about the traditions behind the Christmas tree
    penny

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  7. Incredibly interesting!  You know the apostle Paul told us that to eat meat sacrificed to idols was no sin for a christian, but that if seeing you eat it would make an unbeliever or new convert to stumble then for their sakes we should not.  -  Barbara

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