A CHRISTMAS TREE TALE

During this important religious festival, most of us will have a Christmas tree in our home.  But why has the fir become such a traditional symbol?  There are many explanations of the origin, one of the earliest involving St Boniface.  He was said to have prevented a group of pagan tree-worshippers from sacrificing a child tied to the trunk of an oak tree and converted them to Christianity.  They released the child and agreed to chop down the oak tree.  By the roots of the oak was a fir tree which was then adopted as a symbol of the Christian faith and so started the association between this tree and Christmas. 

In the 7th Century, an English monk, who journeyed to Germany to teach the word of God, used the triangular shape of the fir tree to illustrate the Holy Trinity.  This gave rise to the tradition in Central Europe of hanging fir trees upside down from the ceilings of peoples’ homes as a Christian symbol.  And we thought that was John Lewis’ idea last year!

Decoration of Christmas trees is believed to have been inspired by the reformer Martin Luther.  He put candles on his tree to demonstrate to his children how the stars twinkled at night.  Better known is the story that Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree tradition to England when he installed one in Windsor Castle at Christmas to please Queen Victoria.  

Today, we have Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes and made from many materials.  A variety of these will be on show during the St Giles’ Christmas Tree Festival.  When we look upon them, let’s not forget to recall the wonderful story of the birth of Christ. 

 

TREE OF REMEMBRANCE

Marking the anniversary or birthday of a loved one who has died can be difficult.  Similarly Christmas can bring intense feelings of loss and loneliness.

To remember someone dear to you, visit the Tree of Remembrance in St Giles’ Church during the Christmas Tree Festival (see times in advert on this page).  There you will be invited to write the person’s name, or a message, on a star to be hung on the tree.

The stars will be removed from the tree on the evening of 12th December and placed on the altar in the St John’s Chapel, where they will stay until after Christmas.  Prayers will be said for those named on the stars.

 

DONATIONS

Receipt is acknowledged, with grateful thanks, for a donation towards the cost of ICN, from:

Mrs P Boothe via Celia Miller.

Please remember there is no January issue of ICN.  Copy for the February issue should be with the team by 12 noon on 13th January.  Meanwhile, the ICN team wish you a joyful Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.