Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-23
FAJTS ABOUT The
CHRISTMAS TREES
Lcgends OF Different Countries IN
Regard 20 Thorn as Thick as
tho Foliage.
WHENCE COMES THE TINsEL

The origin Of tic Christmas tree Is
difficult to trace There are many in
tercsting legends and myths concerning
II. and several countries claim the honor
Of giving this beautiful custom to the
world One story tells us how Martin
Luther. the great religious reformer, was
travelling over the country at night. and
who on looking M from the snow-cov-
cred ground 10 the sky with It's countless
brilliant stars began 10 mediate, and on
returning to his home tried to explain
his feelings to his wife and children.
Failing In words he went into the gar
den and cut little fir tree which he
ragged to the nursery, where he fast
ened candles on its branches and lighted
them One OF the popular pictures In
Germany shows Luther and his family
seated about the Christmas tree.
The Scandina vians claim that the tree
epranR from the hlood-soaked soil where |
two lovers were killed. because, runs
the legend. during the Christmas season
mysterious lights appeared on pine trees
which no wind could extinguish. The
French, too. have Christmas tree story.
II relates how hero OF the thirteenth |
century found a gigantic tree with It's
branches covered with candles, some OF
which were upside down. and on the top
was vision OF a child with a halo about
its head The knight asked he pope
for an explanation Of the wonderful
sight. and was told by the holy father
that the tree represented mankind. the
Child the Savior. and the candies good
and bad beings.
81. winfred's Legend.
Another German legend points 70 81
Winfrid as the originator OF the Christ
was tree idea. The story relates that
after converting some of the Druids he
hewed down a giant tree which they had
been worshiping. As he raised the blade
there waa a shower Of stars and whirl-
ing wind passed over the forest ana the
tree was gripped from It's roots and fell
with terrific force. splitting into four sec
tons Just behind Il was small fir
tree which remained unframed. Sir VIM
fried then spoke to the awe-strioken
people who also witnessed the remarkaole
incident: This little tree, a young child
az the forest. shall be your holy tree to-
night. IL is the wood OF peace. for your
houses are built OF fir: Il is the sign OF
endless life. for it's leaves are ever green
See how Il points 70 heaven. Let this
DE called the tree OF the Christ child
gather about it-not IN the wood. but In
your homes. There II will shelter no
deeds OF blood. but loving gifts and ntes
of kindness"
stlu another legend. which IL rather
vague. traces it's origin to the great tree
YgRdrasil, Of Morse mythology. ana yet
another tells us that II may be reviVal
~ the nine trees OF the Roman Saturn
ALA. These trees. according to Virgil. |
were decorated with images OF Bacohus'
Sir George Brdswood. who is an emf
nent authority on ancient customs be-
iievea that the Christmas tree Is derived
from the ancient Egyptian practice OF
decking houses at the time OF the winter
solstice with branches of palm, the
symbol Of life triumphant over DEATH
and therefore perennial life In the re-
aewai Of each bounteous year: and the |
supporters OF these suggestions points 20
The fact that pyramids OF green paper !
covered with flowers are still substituted
in some parts OF Germany for Christmas
trees. All the legends show that In me-
diaeval times there was a tradition of /
holiness investing an illuminated tree.
Another well known antiquarian tells |
US that the Jews celebrated their Feast
OF Chanuckah or Lights, also known as
the Feast OF Dedication. at the season
OF the birth OF Christ; therefore, there
must have been twinkling lights In every
Jewish home In Bethlehem and Nazareth
at the time OF tho Christ-Childs birth.
This Is claimed by many to he the origin
Of the lighted Christmas tree.
There seems TO be no way OF authenti-
eating any OF these legends. and perhaps
the merging OF them all has led 10 tho
worldwide use Of the Christmas tree. AS
far back as ieOs the Christmas tree Is
mentioned as feature Of the Christmas
season. The manuscript telling OF this was
found some years ago In strasburg. Ger
many. Records show that Queen Caroline
had a Christmas tree at the palace In
Munich IN 1880 In isl0 the Duchess Helena
OF Orleans introduced the Christmas tree
IN Paris, but this tree was brought In
with it's roots and planted in huge tub
and this Is the style Of the French Christ
mas tree at present-there the American
Christmasgarden II not used. Queen Vic
toria's marriage 20 German prince led
20 the introduction OF the Christmas tree
IN England, and II Is said that one OF
Queen victoria's greatest Joys was super
intending the decorating of the tree for
the royal children.
Decking the Tree
The idea OF decking the tree with
sWoetmeats ana fancy ornaments also
orieinated IN the German empire. and
with very few exceptions. even In this
country. the manufacturers OF Christmas
tree ornaments are OF Teutopic ancestry
The glass balls 30 popular in tree trim
ming are imported from Germany. hut
the American manufacturer puts the fin
ishing touches on the balls before they
10 70 grace our Christmas trees. Tlnsel
ts used extensively IN tree decoration and
IL manufactured IN many Of our larg,
cities The rev material Is importee
from Germany and a duty OF cents on
every pound is collected by the United
states customs Last year congress had
about decided 20 increase the duty 20 II
cents per pound. but this raised an up
roar among the manufacturers. who de.
elared that n such a thing was done
they must necessarily raise the price OF
their ornaments. One manufacturer went
10 see the president and after a lonl
talk with him and also with several sen
atOrs and congressmen as well. the In
creased duty bin fell through as far a
tinsel was concerned. The raw material
used consists Of wire almost Is thin a
sewing silk. and n wound on spoOls Il
the aame manner. Zach pound OF tinse