Christmas Countdown and Traditions Day Four

Hello Friends!

Here is this morning's Advent calendar door, December 4th ~~~

Today's Christmas Traditions and Trivia is about the omni~present Christmas Tree.

We all know that the Victorians, more specifically Prince Albert, are generally considered responsible for the popularity of the decorated indoor Christmas tree, but here are a couple of things about Christmas trees you might not know ~~~

Although the Germans are widely credited with the first Christmas trees, it is known that people across Europe decorated their homes at this time of year with evergreen foliage such as holly, ivy, and pine boughs for centuries. Some of the earliest trees are thought to be branches of fir trees tied together in a triangular shape. Records from the sixteenth century indicate that decorated trees in Latvia and Estonia were burned after people had danced around them; in the early 1600's there is evidence from Strasbourg of trees decorated with paper roses {the Virgin}, wafers {the Eucharist}, pretzels {arms folded in prayer} apples and sweets.

Today, brightly lit and decorated Christmas trees pop up in public spaces in every city, town and village across the land, providing a focal point that reminds us of the Christmas season. The sites of these trees often become the scene of gatherings as each tree is lit during a special ceremony where villagers or townsfolk gather, singing carols, listening to local choirs and musicians, or local school children reading scripture, while drinking hot chocolate or mulled apple cider and eating mince pies or other seasonal confections.  These events often culminate with the arrival of Father Christmas who gives a small gift to each child.

I love to walk through my own village in that early hour just before dawn to see the tree which stands in the centre of the village in all it's glory, brightly lit in the darkness, a shining beacon of hope as the sun starts to rise, slowly, from the east.  I am often alone as the village lies sleeping, or just stirring from slumber, and there is a stillness and certain beauty in the moment that cannot be put into words. I like to believe it is the stirring of my ancient ancestors who did not understand the shortening and darkening of the days as the year slowly turned, but who welcomed the return of the light at this time of year in jubilant celebration of the lengthening days.

One British Christmas tree in particular is a very special tree indeed, and that is the tree which proudly stands in Trafalgar Square in London.

The Trafalgar Square tree is gifted every year to the people of Great Britain by the city of Oslo in Norway in gratitude for assistance to Norway during World War II. It bears a plaque which reads:

This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-45.

A tree has been given annually since 1947.

You can read more about this special tree here.

Do you decorate a tree in your home? I've seen images of some really lovely trees being shared across social media along with the history and heritage of ornaments that are handed down from generation to generation across the years ~~~

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo