One of the things that I love about teaching my kids at home is that I am learning so much alongside them. I was never really that interested in history & science when I was in school. I can list a whole host of reasons why, but then I would just be shifting blame and complaining. I think it is better to say that as years come and go, I believe that my tastes in many things have evolved. I have had to read many different types of books for work and for the kids. I believe it has stretched me in so many good ways. In the past, I took what people said about things that happened in history as fact. I had not researched it for myself and was not interested in doing so. If it sounded believable, I let it pass as truth. I know that was a big mistake on many levels! One of those subjects that I let this occur in was the history of the Christmas tree. I had been told that the decorating of Christmas trees was really a pagan practice meant to worship tree spirits. Christians tried to justify participating in this practice by changing some of the ornaments to represent Christ. Over the years, I have allowed this wrong information to rob me of some of the joy of the season. I am so thankful that this year in the study of the early Church I have learned the truth. I am going to briefly outline what I learned:
Winfrid, better known as St. Boniface, was an Anglo-Saxon Englishman in the early 700s. His first assignment as an ordained priest was to the pagans of Freisland, Germany. Sadly, his first experience on the mission field was unsuccessful and discouraging. However, the Father sent him again to Germany...this time to Hesse. It was very common for the people of Hesse to worship trees and other things in nature. As it is recorded, one day, Boniface was traveling through the woods and came upon a group of people ready to sacrifice a young prince to the "gods" of a massive (6 foot across) oak tree. Boniface "intervened" it says to rescue the prince. He cut down the tree. He is quoted as saying, "How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he." Now that he finally had the attention of the people of Hesse, he began using the example of a fir tree (evergreen), common in the area, to share of the one true God and His everlasting love for them. Slowly the symbol of the evergreen tree and God's gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ began to move through Europe and eventually to the Americas. Now, I challenge you not to take my word for it! Research it for yourself and enjoy your celebration of the Gift of Christ!! For the first time this year, I am looking at our tree in a whole new light. I am also looking for opportunities to share the everlasting love of Christ. AT
Pictures: This is how we are remembering the Christmas tree and participating in "Advent" this year. The kids made chocolate Christmas Trees. They get to eat one chocolate per day.
Not Pictured: We are still lighting our Advent candles each Sunday and reflecting on the coming of Christ as well as reading a "Christmas Book" each night. (
click here to read more about these traditions)
One of the things that I love about teaching my kids at home is that I am learning so much alongside them. I was never really that interested in history & science when I was in school. I can list a whole host of reasons why, but then I would just be shifting blame and complaining. I think it is better to say that as years come and go, I believe that my tastes in many things have evolved. I have had to read many different types of books for work and for the kids. I believe it has stretched me in so many good ways. In the past, I took what people said about things that happened in history as fact. I had not researched it for myself and was not interested in doing so. If it sounded believable, I let it pass as truth. I know that was a big mistake on many levels! One of those subjects that I let this occur in was the history of the Christmas tree. I had been told that the decorating of Christmas trees was really a pagan practice meant to worship tree spirits. Christians tried to justify participating in this practice by changing some of the ornaments to represent Christ. Over the years, I have allowed this wrong information to rob me of some of the joy of the season. I am so thankful that this year in the study of the early Church I have learned the truth. I am going to briefly outline what I learned: Winfrid, better known as St. Boniface, was an Anglo-Saxon Englishman in the early 700s. His first assignment as an ordained priest was to the pagans of Freisland, Germany. Sadly, his first experience on the mission field was unsuccessful and discouraging. However, the Father sent him again to Germany...this time to Hesse. It was very common for the people of Hesse to worship trees and other things in nature. As it is recorded, one day, Boniface was traveling through the woods and came upon a group of people ready to sacrifice a young prince to the "gods" of a massive (6 foot across) oak tree. Boniface "intervened" it says to rescue the prince. He cut down the tree. He is quoted as saying, "How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he." Now that he finally had the attention of the people of Hesse, he began using the example of a fir tree (evergreen), common in the area, to share of the one true God and His everlasting love for them. Slowly the symbol of the evergreen tree and God's gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ began to move through Europe and eventually to the Americas. Now, I challenge you not to take my word for it! Research it for yourself and enjoy your celebration of the Gift of Christ!! For the first time this year, I am looking at our tree in a whole new light. I am also looking for opportunities to share the everlasting love of Christ. AT Pictures: This is how we are remembering the Christmas tree and participating in "Advent" this year. The kids made chocolate Christmas Trees. They get to eat one chocolate per day. 
Not Pictured: We are still lighting our Advent candles each Sunday and reflecting on the coming of Christ as well as reading a "Christmas Book" each night. (click here to read more about these traditions)
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