|
large red stripe represents the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross to save us from our sins. The three smaller red stripes represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, all of whom play a role in our salvation. The shape of the candy cane turned upward like a staff represents Jesus, our Good Shepherd. The cane can also be turned down, making the letter “J” for Jesus.
CHRISTMAS TREES – The beginning of Christmas trees is somewhat hazy. Over the years its roots have been tied to pagan practices of bringing evergreens into houses to protect the homes from evil spirits. But is this the true reason we use trees to celebrate Christmas?
The history of the Christmas tree begins with a German missionary named Boniface, born in 675 A.D. in England. He grew up a godly man, with a heart for missions. After Boniface spent several years in Germany as a missionary, the pope would made Boniface bishop over all of Germany extending east of the Rhine River.
With his new office, Boniface decided to strike a devastating blow to paganism. He challenged Thor, the god of thunder, head on. While tribesman watched, Boniface chopped down the sacred oak dedicated to Thor. Nothing happened. No bolt of lightning struck him down. Boniface then took a fir tree growing in the roots of the oak (some accounts say growing nearby) and quickly chose it as a replacement to the oak. “He
|
|
|
told the heathen tribes: ‘This humble tree’s wood is used to build your homes: let Christ be at the centre of your households. Its leaves remain evergreen in the darkest days: let Christ be your constant light. Its boughs reach out to embrace and its top points to heaven: let Christ be your comfort and your guide.’ So the fir tree became a sign of Christ amongst the German peoples, and eventually it became a world-wide symbol of Christmas.”5
Tradition tells us that the first decorated tree was in Riga in Latvia in 1510. Tradition also tells us that it was Martin Luther, while viewing the stars one night, who got the idea to put candles on the tree. However, there are no known records of this.
Christmas trees grew in popularity in Germany in the 1600’s. “Medieval mystery plays, designed to entertain the masses while teaching them Christian doctrine, often featured ‘paradise trees’ decorated with apples. Apples and other fruits made their way onto Christmas trees quite early, first in natural forms and later made from marzipan, glass, and other materials. Mystery play trees also featured unconsecrated Communion wafers, representing the antidote to the forbidden fruit. Wafers appeared on early Christmas trees, too.”6
Christmas trees appeared in England in 1789 and became popular by 1829. It would be Charles Dickens’ book “A Christmas Carol” and Prince Albert putting up a tree at his palace that would solidify the tree as a tradition in England. |
|
|
