Merry Christmas!
As is my usual practice on Christmas I’m starting a new Chritmas-themed project. This year it’s this small Christmas tree.
I also want to share with you the story of the origins of the Christmas Tree. St. Boniface, an Englishman, was sent to pagan Germany to convert them. In a Hessian village, one aspect of their pagan worship was a large tree that was supposed to have magical powers and was dedicated to Thor. Boniface reached the village on Christmas Eve.
This was the time of the village’s annual celebration which included a human sacrifice to the tree. Boniface took an axe and chopped down the tree. He pointed to a small fir tree behind the now felled oak and said,
“This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace… It is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green. See how it points upward to heaven. Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness.”
Through this tool, the Germans were converted & Boniface is known as the Apostle to the Germans.
It’s also the reason the Christmas tree, commemorating this little fir tree originated in Germany and from there spread throughout the world.
Merry Christmas & God Bless You!
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Nancy says
A Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Janet M Perry says
Thanks!
Keep stitching,
Janet