King Tut never saw a Christmas tree, but he would have understood the tradition which traces back long before the first Christmas. The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrived, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death. The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life. Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and placed evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions.
The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time. Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth. (If you're not familiar with Martin Luther take some time and google him this week.)
The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time. Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth. (If you're not familiar with Martin Luther take some time and google him this week.)
Now, I have to admit that I'm surprised that we have adopted pagan traditions and somehow associated them with Christ. Equally interesting is the fact that trees do in fact represent life, and all throughout the Bible trees are used to describe us. There are many verses, one of my favorites is Jeremiah 17:8, which says, "He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Trees and branches can be made purposeful as well as symbolic. The Christmas tree is a symbol of a living Christmas spirit and brings into our lives a pleasant aroma of the forest. The fact that balsam fir trees, more than any other evergreen trees, resemble crosses, may have had much to do with the early popularity of balsam fir used as Christmas trees.
Let's move on to candy canes. Tammy knew most of the history behind the delicious treat, while I, again, was clueless. Usually, this is not the case. The candy cane is a Christmas tradition that many hold dear but nobody really knows why. Let’s face it, the only things we really know about candy canes is that they taste good and that they are red and white. I used to to lick mine until I made some sort of sharp spear, then I would throw it away. I never made it to the hook, and I only ate the hook if the only candy cane I could get my hands on was broken.
This is the story of the candy cane. In 1670, at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, the children that went to church there were really loud and noisy. They often moved around and would not pay attention to the choirmaster. So the choirmaster gave them a stick of candy and he bent it on the end to look like a cane. It was meant to look like a shepherd’s cane, and so it reminded the children of the shepherds at Jesus’ birth. The use of candy canes on Christmas trees made its way to America by the 1800’s, however during this time they were still pure white. They are represented this way on Christmas cards made before 1900, and it is not until the early 20th century that they appear with their familiar red stripes.
Many people have given religious meaning to the shape and form of the candy cane. It is said that its shape is like the letter “J” in Jesus’ name. It is also in the shape of the shepherds’ crook, symbolic of how Jesus, like the “Good Shepherd” watches over his children like little lambs. It is a hard candy, solid like a “rock”, the foundation of the Church. Some say the white of the candy cane represents the purity of Jesus and his virgin birth. The bold red stripe represents God’s love. The three fine stripes are said by some to represent the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. From its plain early beginnings to its familiar shape and color of today, the candy cane is a symbol of Christmas and a reminder of the meaning of the holiday.
Who knew? The idea to give the candy to the kids is understandable. However, the choirmaster also bent the candy into the shape of a crook, representing the Good Shepherd. So, as far back as we care to think about, our ancestors were celebrating Christ's birth on Christmas. He was the focus of the celebration. There was no paganism involved in the making of the candy cane. I like that, yes I'm biased. We put up our tree yesterday, set out our decorations, and have almost completed purchasing our gifts for our loved ones. None of these things however, give Christmas it's spirit other than Christ Himself. My focus this year is on Him, not what He can do for me, although I am thankful for what He's brought me through, but who He is, and what I can do for Him. Here is a promise. "But truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord."
Credits: "The history of the Christmas Tree", David Robson
"The History of the Candy Cane", Laura Goldstein
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