Home » Reading & Literature » Folklore » Christmas Legends Minus Xmas

Christmas Legends Minus Xmas

© Virginia Marin

Folklore Table of Contents

With the approach of the Christmas season, all of the legends and myths of old are told and retold. This year, I present the legends with a different bent--that from the perspective of a Christian. If you would like something old, something new, something different and something unique with a totally new slant from last year's legends you will find it here. The many legends of Christmas traditions do not contradict one another but rather show just how closely connected cultures really are in spirit and faith.

St. Boniface and the Christmas Tree

St. Boniface was a Catholic monk who lived among non-Christians. The story is told that one day, while walking in the woods, he came upon a group of pagans who were preparing for a human sacrifice beneath a giant oak tree. With great strength, Boniface raised the tree, then chided the people for their cruelty to other human beings. In the oak's place immediately grew a small fir tree with its branches reaching upward toward Heaven. The saint taught the pagan worshipers that the fir tree was The Tree of Life and stood for eternal life in Christ. Sitting around the little tree with the people, Boniface told them how to gather evergreens to display in their homes, and that when surrounded by fruits and gifts--these became symbols of love and kindness to others.

The Paradise Tree

In the eleventh century, about the only people who were able to read were monks and nuns. In order to teach religious principles to the masses, plays and skits were used, but scenery was virtually unknown.

However, a play known as the Paradise Play displayed a tree which was the only prop. The Paradise Play depicted the creation of Adam and Eve and their eventual expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

The tree used in the play was known as the Paradise Tree. It was a fir tree hung with red apples which represented the Garden of Eden. It also stood for the Tree of Life and the Tree of Discernment of Good and Evil which stood in the center of Paradise. The play ended with the prophecy of the advent of the Savior.

Later, fir trees were decorated in churches and homes with red apples and tiny white wafers which represented the Holy Eucharist or the Body of Christ. This Paradeisbaum, Paradise Tree, became a symbol of the Savior.

Soon little sweets, representing the sweetness of redemption, were added as well as nuts, flowers and lighted candles. The lights and decorations were symbolic of the joy and light of Christmas. The star at the tree's top reminded the people of the Star in the East. In some places, these trees are called Paradeis.

The copyright of the article Christmas Legends Minus Xmas in Folklore is owned by Virginia Marin. Permission to republish Christmas Legends Minus Xmas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.