Fundoo Times
Here are some legends and stories associated with Christmas tree.

Legends Behind Christmas Tree

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.