![]() ![]() In an effort to re-create the magnificent sight for his family, he cut down the tree, placed it in his home, and decorated it with candles. He was struck by the beauty of how the snow shimmered in the moonlight on the branches of the trees. ![]() ![]() Some say that on Christmas Eve, Luther was walking through the woods near his home. A third tradition about the origin of the Christmas tree attributes it to Martin Luther, an influential leader of the Reformation. In the play, the Garden of Eden was most often represented by a fir tree hung with apples and surrounded by candles.ģ. It closed with the promise of a coming Savior, which made the play a particular favorite during the Christmas season. It started with the creation of man, acted out the first sin, and showed Adam and Eve being expelled from Paradise (the Garden of Eden). Among the most popular of these plays was the “Paradise” play. Needless to say, the people readily accepted Boniface’s message, and the tree eventually came to be associated with the birth of Christ and a celebration of the day when the mighty God (who could hurl a gigantic oak to the ground) chose to humbly enter the world as a babe.Ģ. Another possible source of the Christmas tree (and probably the most likely) comes from medieval religious plays in Germany. Tradition holds that a fir tree was growing in the roots of the oak, and Boniface claimed the tree as a symbol of Christ. Miraculously, as Boniface began to chop the oak, a mighty wind blew and hurled the tree to the ground. He announced before the people that he was going to cut down the oak, and he openly challenged Thor to strike him down. Boniface determined that if he wanted to earn an audience with the people, he would have to confront Thor. He is probably best known for what is called the “Felling of Thor’s Oak.” It is said that upon entering a town in northern Hesse (Hessia), Boniface learned that the people worshiped the god Thor who they believed resided in a great oak tree among them. In the 8th century, he was a missionary to some of the remotest tribes of Germany. All three have some element of historical fact, and they may even loosely connect from one to another.ġ. The stories span from the 8th to the 16th century. John Barnett.Īmong the many accounts claiming to explain the origin of the Christmas tree, the three most popular are from Germany - making it the likeliest place of origin. This content was adapted from the original article " The Origin of Christmas Traditions and Christ's Birth" by Dr. In 1846 Cole and Horsley saw the commercial potential of this growing tradition and started the production of what is now over a $1,000,000,000.00 industry, that sees 4 billion cards sent each year in America alone. They found local use there and soon spread to America. An English artist named William Dobson, drew up some pictures in England for use at this season. It was gold in a stocking.Ĭhristmas Cards started in 1844. He became aware of some desperate needs in his congregation, and a family having to sell their children into slavery, so one night he came and left money on their doorstep. Saint Nicholas was the supposed early Bishop of a church in Asia Minor. Santa Claus is a Dutch word that is actually Sinter Claus, Saint Nicholas, in English. It was entitled, " Twas the Night before Christmas."! In 1822, Clement Moore wrote a poem for children that has never been forgotten. Regardless of the possible reasons for the date, the church calendar was set in the West during Constantine’s reign while the Eastern Church held onto the date of January 6 for some time.Ĭelebrate the birth of Christ with a FREE 25 Days to a Joyful Christmas Prayer Guide. December 25 is 9 months later and thus celebrated as the birthday of Jesus. The second theory centers around the date “accepted” by the Western Church of March 25 as the Annunciation or Immaculate Conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb. ".Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” The Christian sees the truth implicit in this pagan tradition that reflects: Christ the Light of the world, His triumph over the night of sin in Luke 1:78-79: From Jewish Chanukah to Pagan Winter Solstice to Germanic Yule to Roman Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (Birth of the Unconquered Sun) the sheer number of celebration days with trees, decorations, yule logs, mistletoe and feasts seem to point to a season of celebration to which Christians added the birth of Jesus as a counter-cultural event and possibly even an escape from the pagan holidays for early believers.ĭecember 25th was the Saturnalia Festival of emancipation, gift giving and the triumph of light after the longest night. First, people and religions of the day celebrated some sort of holiday around that time. ![]()
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