Christmas Legends Minus Xmas
When Christianity first came to the cold countries of Northern Europe, it was brought by three angelic beings from Heaven who represented the virtues of faith, hope and charity. Their charge was to place lights on a tree to guide the people toward these virtues.
The tree was difficult to find for it had to be a special tree that was as high as hope; as great as love; as sweet as charity; and have the sign of the cross on every bough.
After finding the one special tree, the Angels lighted it from the radiance of the stars and it became the first Christmas tree.
After the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph received a visit from an Angel who told them that Herod had sent his soldiers to kill all infants and they were to flee immediately for safety.
The Holy Family set out with Mary and baby Jesus riding a donkey. Many plants along the way provided a place of rest for them, but none more special than an ancient gnarled pine tree with a hollow trunk.
As darkness approached they and the donkey sought safety in the huge trunk of the tree. When safely inside, the tree closed its massive branches over the opening thus shielding them from sight of the passing soldiers.
Upon leaving the next morning the Christ Child blessed the pine and the imprint of His little hand was left forever in the tree's fruit--the pine cone. Cut the cone lengthwise and the hand may be seen.
What a wonderful story to share as we hang a pine cone ornament on our Christmas tree.
The last legend comes out of Eastern Germany...
While the Advent Wreath is a Lutheran custom, many denominational and non-denominational churches and homes display an Advent Wreath beginning with the first Sunday of Advent.
The roundness of the wreath is a symbol of God's eternity and mercy. The evergreens refer to God's everlastingness and our immortality. Green is a liturgical color and points to hope and new life in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
An Advent Wreath uses four candles, three purple or lavender ones and one rose or pink one. The purple candles represent penance, sorrow and expectation. The rose one speaks of hope and coming joy. The candles are placed in small holders hidden among the greenery and stand for the four weeks of Advent.
After the
Latest Articles