There are several legends associated with
Christmas tree behind its origin and significance. One such legend
tells the story of Saint Boniface, an English monk who organized the
Christian Church in France and Germany. Once while traveling he came
upon a group of pagans gathered around a great oak tree about to
sacrifice a child to the god Thor. To stop them from sacrificing and
save the child's life Boniface felled the tree with one mighty blow
of his fist. In its place grew a small fir tree. The saint told the
pagan worshipers that the tiny fir was the Tree of Life and stood
the eternal life of Christ. So from that day it is regarded as a
sacred tree used in Christmas celebration. Another story tells us of
a poor woodsman who once met a small child who was hungry and got
lost in the jungle on the Christmas Eve. Though the man was very
poor and hungry himself gave all the food to that child and even
shelter for the night. When he woke up next morning he saw a
beautiful glittering tree outside his door. Actually the hungry
child was really the Christ himself in disguise. He created the tree
to reward the good man for his charity and unselfish behavior.
Another legend associated with Christmas tree holds the story of
Martin Luther, a founder of the Protestant faith, was walking
through the forest one Christmas Eve. As he was walking he was awed
by the beauty of millions of stars glittering through the branches
of the evergreen trees. He was so happy and surprised by this
beautiful sight that he cut a small tree and took it home to his
family. To recreate that same starlight beauty he saw in the wood,
he placed candles on all its branches and celebrated Christmas. Even
the decorations on the Christmas trees draw their root in
traditional values. The crystal balls symbolizes the fruit of
redemption, the electric light or the candles are ancient symbols
that stand for the triumph of spring over the darkness of winter.
The light also symbolizes the light that Jesus Christ cast upon the
lives of the people. The Holy, when it flies down to earth, is
believed to take the shape of a dove. The dove symbolizes the Holy
Spirit, while the bell symbolizes the joys of life.
Here are some legends and
stories associated with Christmas tree.