Category: Holidays

“Oh Christmas Tree”

.Reading time 7 minutes.

We do Christmas big at our house. I have always loved Christmas. And Zach, well, let’s just say he REALLY LOVES Christmas. And I love that he loves it. Our house is decorated with two real Christmas Trees (one upstairs and one downstairs), new and old decor, the smells of the holidays in my diffuser, Christmas music in the background, and the fireplace going pretty much all day long and lots of Christmas movies watched before bedtime. It’s cozy. It’s homey, It’s family. It’s traditions. It’s love.

Last year our Christmas was less than traditional. Zach tried hard to keep things the same the best he could. We had a tree. We greatly appreciated a neighbor who hung up our greenery for us. I came home on the 24th and went to our Christmas Eve service (my favorite). I slept in my bed for the first time in over a month (it was heaven), and we woke up to Christmas presents under the tree. I spent most of the day at home and then headed back to Sioux Falls to be with Lainey. On my way back I realized Christmas was over and I didn’t get to watch any of our favorite movies with the kids, or read our books, or bake any goodies, or help Landry wrap presents. I may have shed a tear or two. I love traditions so it was hard to let those go. But I am also a realist, and know that just because it was “off” that year, doesn’t mean it’s always going to be that way. So this year, we are going to do all…the…things. We’ve already got 3 movies crossed off our list. I got our Christmas books sorted out. Landry and I are going to plan out the cookies and goodies we want to make. And I’ve already had Point of Grace and Michael Bublé Christmas albums on many times.

All my decor has meaning to me. I have a beautiful Christmas Village. My mom has bought me pieces for it each year the past several years. My nativity scene was bought from a store in Sioux Falls who’s items were all handmade from different countries. I have made several pieces or bought them from someone I know who handmade them. Or my decor are gifts I’ve gotten through the years.

When we put up our Christmas tree up this year it got me thinking, why do we even put up a tree? I mean I love them, but what is the meaning behind it? So I had to look it up. Here is what I found.

” Bringing evergreen trees indoors has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals — both by Pagans and Christians — for thousands of years. Pagans would decorate their homes during the winter solstice with tree branches as a symbol to think of spring that was just around the corner.

Germany is also heavily credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition, as many Christians began decorating trees brought in from outside. Those who didn’t have trees — or couldn’t afford them — would make their own clever alternatives using wooden pyramids instead.

The 16th century preacher, Martin Luther, was recorded as one of the first people to bring a Christmas tree into his home – and one of the first to add lights on the tree, too. According to tradition, one night before Christmas, Martin was seen walking through the forest and looked up to see the brightly shining stars glistening through the tree branches.

To recapture this scene for his family, he placed a tree in his living room and wired its branches with beautiful lights.”

  • Taken from “Why Do We Have Christmas Trees?” by Lisa Walden

Being a Lutheran, I find that very interesting!

Have you ever paid attention to the lyrics in the song “Oh Christmas Tree”?

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Not only green when summer’s here
But also when it’s cold and drear
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
For every year this Christmas tree
Brings to us such joy and glee
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
You’ll ever be unchanging
A symbol of goodwill and love
You’ll ever be unchanging
Each shining light, each silver bell
No one alive spreads cheer so well
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
You’ll ever be unchanging

Version 2

O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
How steadfast are your branches!
Your boughs are green in summer’s clime
And through the snows of wintertime
O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
How steadfast are your branches!

O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
What happiness befalls me
When oft at joyous Christmas-time
Your form inspires my song and rhyme
O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
What happiness befalls me

O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
Your boughs can teach a lesson
That constant faith and hope sublime
Lend strength and comfort through all time
O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
Your boughs can teach a lesson

The last verse is my favorite. And I think with the way the world feels right now, it’s quite important. Things in our lives do not feel constant. And keeping the faith can be hard. But just because this year’s Christmas might not be traditional in your homes, it doesn’t mean it will always be that way. We are proof of that. Things might even be a little different from now on, but remember traditions all started at one point as a new idea.