The Top 40 Traditions of Christmas: The Story Behind the Nativity, Candy Canes, Caroling, and All Things Christmas Read Online Free PDF
Author: David McLaughlan
Christmas tradition was born!
14
Christmas Trees
Who?
Saint Boniface was an eighth-century English missionary to the pagan tribes in the land that became Germany. Finding that they worshipped a large oak dedicated to Thor, Boniface decided to chop it down. If Thor were the true God, he told the assembled tribesmen, then Boniface would die. If he didn’t, it was proof that his God was the mightier one.
After one stroke of the ax, a strong wind came and blew the oak over. No one was going to argue with Boniface after that!
Legend has it that he planted a fir tree in place of the oak, and this became the first Christmas tree.
What?
Trees, decorated and worshipped in the woods, were eventually replaced by smaller, felled trees placed outside shops to advertise their business. Gradually, smaller trees made their way into homes.
Today we have the choice of natural trees or artificial ones that can be put away and reused year after year.
Around forty million real, or specially grown, trees are bought in the United States each year during the Christmas period.
An angel or a star is usually placed on top of the tree to symbolize one of the two ways the news of Christ’s birth was proclaimed (by an angel to the shepherds or by a star to the Wise Men).
Where?
Trees first became a part of the Christmas celebrations in northern Germany. Some of those celebrations ended with the tree being set on fire!
Prussian troops took the tradition into southern Germany, but the Christmas tree stayed firmly rooted in that area for a considerable time. Germans traveling abroad might delight their friends with their decorated trees, but it wasn’t until the time of Queen Victoria (who was related to the German royal family) that the tradition became popular in the United Kingdom. From the United Kingdom it spread to the United States, although people in many states claim (with good cause) that German ancestors brought the tradition directly to them!
When?
Saint Boniface chopped the Donar Oak (Thunder Oak) down in 723 AD. But the first recorded use of a Christmas tree took place in an Estonian monastery in 1441.
In 1781 German soldiers sent to defend Quebec against America during the Revolutionary War celebrated Christmas with a decorated tree.
In 1848 a picture of Queen Victoria standing by a decorated Christmas tree was circulated throughout the United States in
Godey’s Magazine and Lady’s Book.
(The picture was altered, removing Victoria’s tiara to make it look less royal and more like one of an ordinary family.) From that time onward American families increasingly made the Christmas tree a part of their family celebrations.
Why?
Trees made convenient gathering points for pagan, midwinter celebrations. Offerings would be made and fires lit to encourage the rebirth of the sun and the fresh life it would bring. It made sense for the early Christians to adopt and adapt this into a celebration of the birth of the life-giving Son of God.
The first decorations placed on Christmas trees were wax candles, which may have indicated Jesus being “the Light of the World” or may simply have been a way of emulating chandeliers.
These days, though, the tree makes a wonderful gathering place and the perfect frame from which to hang candy canes, lights, and other sparkly stuff.
15
Christmas Gifts
Who?
The first Christmas gift was undoubtedly from God to us, and it was Jesus. The next ones were presented to Christ himself by the Magi (or the Wise Men, or the three kings).
Across the world, children wait excitedly for a variety of gift bringers, the most famous of whom is Santa Claus. In Scandinavia a gnome called
Julenisse
delivers the gifts; in Holland it is
Sinterklaas;
Russian children get their presents from Grandfather Frost; in Spain the three kings perform the honors; and in Italy
La Befana
brings gifts—but not until Twelfth Night!
In almost
14
Christmas Trees
Who?
Saint Boniface was an eighth-century English missionary to the pagan tribes in the land that became Germany. Finding that they worshipped a large oak dedicated to Thor, Boniface decided to chop it down. If Thor were the true God, he told the assembled tribesmen, then Boniface would die. If he didn’t, it was proof that his God was the mightier one.
After one stroke of the ax, a strong wind came and blew the oak over. No one was going to argue with Boniface after that!
Legend has it that he planted a fir tree in place of the oak, and this became the first Christmas tree.
What?
Trees, decorated and worshipped in the woods, were eventually replaced by smaller, felled trees placed outside shops to advertise their business. Gradually, smaller trees made their way into homes.
Today we have the choice of natural trees or artificial ones that can be put away and reused year after year.
Around forty million real, or specially grown, trees are bought in the United States each year during the Christmas period.
An angel or a star is usually placed on top of the tree to symbolize one of the two ways the news of Christ’s birth was proclaimed (by an angel to the shepherds or by a star to the Wise Men).
Where?
Trees first became a part of the Christmas celebrations in northern Germany. Some of those celebrations ended with the tree being set on fire!
Prussian troops took the tradition into southern Germany, but the Christmas tree stayed firmly rooted in that area for a considerable time. Germans traveling abroad might delight their friends with their decorated trees, but it wasn’t until the time of Queen Victoria (who was related to the German royal family) that the tradition became popular in the United Kingdom. From the United Kingdom it spread to the United States, although people in many states claim (with good cause) that German ancestors brought the tradition directly to them!
When?
Saint Boniface chopped the Donar Oak (Thunder Oak) down in 723 AD. But the first recorded use of a Christmas tree took place in an Estonian monastery in 1441.
In 1781 German soldiers sent to defend Quebec against America during the Revolutionary War celebrated Christmas with a decorated tree.
In 1848 a picture of Queen Victoria standing by a decorated Christmas tree was circulated throughout the United States in
Godey’s Magazine and Lady’s Book.
(The picture was altered, removing Victoria’s tiara to make it look less royal and more like one of an ordinary family.) From that time onward American families increasingly made the Christmas tree a part of their family celebrations.
Why?
Trees made convenient gathering points for pagan, midwinter celebrations. Offerings would be made and fires lit to encourage the rebirth of the sun and the fresh life it would bring. It made sense for the early Christians to adopt and adapt this into a celebration of the birth of the life-giving Son of God.
The first decorations placed on Christmas trees were wax candles, which may have indicated Jesus being “the Light of the World” or may simply have been a way of emulating chandeliers.
These days, though, the tree makes a wonderful gathering place and the perfect frame from which to hang candy canes, lights, and other sparkly stuff.
15
Christmas Gifts
Who?
The first Christmas gift was undoubtedly from God to us, and it was Jesus. The next ones were presented to Christ himself by the Magi (or the Wise Men, or the three kings).
Across the world, children wait excitedly for a variety of gift bringers, the most famous of whom is Santa Claus. In Scandinavia a gnome called
Julenisse
delivers the gifts; in Holland it is
Sinterklaas;
Russian children get their presents from Grandfather Frost; in Spain the three kings perform the honors; and in Italy
La Befana
brings gifts—but not until Twelfth Night!
In almost
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