Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-25
Christmas Tree, Adopted From Pagans,
Now Symnbolizes Nativity of Christ Child
BY ALMA MARGARET HIGGINS

CopVitnt, lsZl, py Alma margaret higgins.
TN THE EIGHTH CENTURY there
lived a missionary to the German
people by the name of Saint Wini-
fred. To him is attributed the setting
up among the heather Of the first
home Christmas tree.
One evening, when the Druids, who
worshipped the oak tree. sacred to the
thunder god, Thor, were about ready
to offer q human sacrifice, Saint Wini-
fred appeared before them and plead
with them to be worshipers of a living
God, urging them to give up their wor-
moon, and the stars. AS the old legend
is further beautifully developed by DIR.
Van Dyke, the good saint finally con-
WINGED them of the truth; then calling
Gregor, the woodsman, to his aid, with
mighty strokes of their axes they
hewed down the great oak tree around
which the people had gathered.
As the oak tree fell there came into
view a beautiful young fir tree.
Then said Saint Winifred. Here is
the living tree, with no stain of blood
upon it, that shall be the sign of your
new worship. See how it points to
the sky. Let US call it the tree OF the
Christ Child Take it UP and carry
it to the chieftatn's hall. The thunder
oak has fallen and think the day is
coming when there shall not be home
in all Germany where the children are
not gathered around the green flr tree
to rejoice in the birth night OF Christ.
And not alone in Germany, as Saint
Winifred predicted, has this custom
prevailed down to the present time. but
in every Christian land the lighted
evergreen tree has become the token
of Yuletide cheer and the symbol OF
that love and peace which the Christ
Child brought to the world.
origin Of the Christmas Tree.
In winter, when all is brown and
dead. when nature has put all other
trees to sleep, the evergreens are wide
awake and manifest the abiding hfe
within the plant world: they may we'll
have been held in reverence by the ma
tions of antiquity.
Nearly all pagans worshiped the sun:
under different names, as the glver OF
light and life, and their festivals IN lts
honor took place in December. Among
the Romans this holiday was cameo
Saturnalia. in honor OF saturn, ana
was celebrated December ~. Inc an
cient Teutons observed the season Dy
trimming fir tree. for they tnougnt
of the sun. rising higher and higher IN
tha heavens. as the spreading and bios
soming of great tree. rms ancient
reverence for nature may be the under
living impulse in the institution OF the
Christmas tree.
MANY of the ornaments used on the
Christmas tree are Of pagan origin.
THE lights. to the primitive mind, rep
resented the lightning flash; the apples,
nuts. and balls symbolized the sun, the
moon and the stars, and the little am
mails represented the sacr1flclai oiiei
ings to the sun god.
AS Christianity replaced paganlsn,
tho Christians. following the tolerant
shirt of their Master, adopted some
Of the old customs, merely chahgihs
their meaning and their application.
Meaning of the Ornaments.
By observing definite procedure
in placing the various ornaments usea
on the Christmas tree, the entire story
Of the nativity of the Christ Child may
he set forth. The star is placed at the
very ton of the tree. 1t is symbolic
Of the star which guided the wise men
to Bethlehem. Just below the star
numerous angels are suspended TO rep
resent the heavenly host. Beneath
them, facing the shepherds, is another
angel-"And there were in the same
country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock BY night.
And. 10. the angel Of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them; and they
were sore afraid. And the angel sad
unto them: Fear not; for, behold, l
bring you good tidings OF great JOY,
which shall be to all people. For unto
you is born this day, in the city OF
David. a Saviour which is Christ, the