Thursday, December 18, 2008

O Christmas Tree

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


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The Legend of the First Christmas Tree*

"One clear cold Christmas Eve the famous Reformation leader Martin Luther was walking home through the woods. As it was a beautiful starry night, he paused for a moment to gaze at the sky in reverent meditation. He was in a grove of tall pines. Their fragrance reminded him of incense and the peaceful murmur of the wind in their branches sounded like a congregation at prayer. From where he stood it looked as though thousands of stars had settled on their branches. He proceeded to cut a tiny tree and took it home where he decorated it with small candles in metal holders to recreate his experience for his children. That glittering tree became a tradition for his family in the many Christmasses to come just as it has for many other families around the world."

~~ Sheryl Ann Karas ~~
The Solstice Evergreen: The History, Folklore and Origins of the Christmas Tree
Rev. Ed. (Fairfield: Aslan Publishing, 1998).


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* I know it is a legend (unproven) and many Christians choose not to celebrate with a tree, but we love setting up our "Memory Tree" each year. We delight in the ornaments which serve as souvenirs throughout the years. God has blessed us richly and our little ornaments remind us like Ebenezer stones. [‘Samuel then took a stone and placed it between Mizpah and Jeshanah and named it Ebenezer, for he said, "The Lord has certainly helped us."' 1 Samuel 7:12]


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He is the reason for the season

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27 comments:

Laura ~Peach~ said...

beautiful tree and I love the individual ornamanets photos! I always wondered where the idea of a christmas tree came from...

sukipoet said...

Just gorgeous. It must have taken hours to decorate. I love the size, the colors and the meanings. Thanks for sharing your tree.

"Create Beauty" said...

Your tree is beautiful! And oh dear about your thumb! My left arm
was put out of commission last week by a hard fall while 'walking' the dog. I am so thankful that God made our bodies so they can heal!!! Hurray!!!! Take it easy and let others do as much as possible and leave the rest!

latree said...

beautiful decorative tree!

scrappysue said...

now THAT is a beautiful tree

Karen Deborah said...

sooooo beautiful! i may get to see it in real life. Will let you know soon. Our friend Tom who lived in paradise died last week. We are trying to figure out if we can come. My trip will have to be short as new job will start on Jan 5th. The service is on the 3rd and the 4th I'd fly home. don't know yet when I can leave.
check out Aprils post today and let Rachel see it. she will want to make one herself it is ADORABLE!

Unknown said...

Beautiful tree.

Michelle said...

You captured the magic of Christmas beautifully!

Michaelle said...

I LOVE this post! I did one very similar to it last Friday!

Beautiful tree and ornaments, by the way.

Jessica said...

Your tree is gorgeous! The cupcake ornament is my favorite. Love it!

Chris said...

Wow, what a gorgeously decorated tree! And, legend or not, I love the story of Martin Luther and the first Christmas tree.
Can I ask you what Ebeneezer Stones are?

MomOf4 said...

What a beautiful tree!! And I love the story of how Christmas trees became popular. :)

Indrani said...

So beautifully decorated! Thanks for that story too!

tiarastantrums said...

gorgeous tree and story!

Janette said...

Your tree is fantastic! It glows!
I am sorry to hear about your thumb. Is it feeling better?

imbeingheldhostage said...

THAT is lovely!!
Your tree is just as special as I would expect you have :-)

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

Lovely tree, just lovely. And thank you for taking the extra effort to type and post pictures with a numb thumb. I am especially fond of the cupcake ornament--sweet!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a beautiful tree!

Ours is not bought yet. Marta found out last night that they have now started to sell trees outside the grocery store where she and her dad go every year to buy one. So it is soon time.

It will not be taken in untill Tuesday though.

Jenners said...

Visiting from Photo Story Friday...

Lovely photos! I think the cupcake ornament is my favorite!!! Merry Christmas!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Beautiful tree! I couldn't imagine Christmas without a tree. We have a story that takes the colors and the tree and gives a reason for it. Like the candles or tree lights show mans thanks for the star, the green of the fir tree stays that way all year long depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, red stands for blood that was shed for us by the Savior. And so on.

Full of Grace said...

Absolutely Beautiful!!!

Angela said...

Your tree is truly delightful to the eyes.And yes, He is the reason for the season. alleluia

Blessings to you and your family!!

dawn klinge said...

Your tree is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Anonymous said...

Your tree is so beautiful. Isn't it fun to peak into everyone's homes during the holidays (and always really) and their kitchens and see what beauty there is! This was really a treat Debbie.

Anonymous said...

Your tree is lovely.

Terje and Marta bought our tree today. We will decorate it tomorrow, "lille julaften" (little Christmas Eve) as is our tradition.

Thanks for the legend. It was new to me.

Karen said...

What a beautiful tree!

Ruth MacC said...

I really like your tree. I particularly like the tea cake and red VW!

I h ope yui and your family have a brilliant Christmas, full of peace, joy and all the comforts God gives through our families...

God bless,
Ruth