WHY WE DECORATE
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
*
For many, many years people have been trying to solve the mystery of
where the custom ot decorating the tree at Christmas began, 'inese
exploitations have gone back into the history of religion, mythology and
folklore—into legend and myth—and into superstition and paganism. Yet
there is no definite proof of the origin of the custom.
Somewhere in the archives of time is the story of the origin of the
custom. Many facts have been presented, but none are authentic. Here are
a few of them—take your pick:
In England there is evidence that in 1444 the houses of London
were bedecked with evergreens, and that a decorated tree was set up in the
street.
It is believed by some that the custom began in 1604 in Strassburg, Ger
many, afterwards emigrating into other countries of Europe and to Ameri
ca in 1847.
There is evidence of a Christmas tree at Pniladelphia in 1834, and that
evergreens were used on Christmas Day at Fort Dearborn in 1804. The
records do not give any evidence of any Christmas tree decoration at either
of these places.
Others believe that Saint Boniface of England started the custom at the
time when he was a missionary to Germany. Some credit a Saint Wilfrid of
England with its origin, while others claim that Saint Boniface and Saint
Wilfrid were one and the same.
From the Vikings comes the legend that the Lord, in the ninth century,
dispatched Faith, Hope and Charity to select the first Christmas tree. Ac
cording to the myth, the balsam fir was chosen because it had many crosses
on each twig, was high as hope and wide as love.
There are many other legends, giving credit for the origin to Bonche-
valier of France, Martin Luther, the Scandinavians, and many other people
of the world.
Whatever the origin, it is a beautiful and inspiring sight to see dark
evergreens, decorated with lights and ornaments, aglow in the homes of God
fearing and peace-loving people, bringing the spirit of Christmas to one and
all.
To the young ones the tree is the trademark of Christmas—to older
ones it is a tribute to the Christ Child, a symbol of faith, and a reminder of
our-belief of peace on earth, good will to men.