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| Christmas Through The Ages, Continued |
| The history of this tree and the various customs associated with it add up to a clearly defined concept. The Paradise Tree is still used in France. The Paradise Tree had a light stand or pyramid of candles next to it. The candle as a prime source of light in those times was also the oldest of symbols. The lighted candle represented Christ in all His glory - the Light of the World. Thus candles were lighted with great ceremony on Christmas Eve. The Symbolic candles were burned again on Christmas night and continuing through the feast of Epiphany. In Germany, many candles were placed on a pyramid made of shelves of graduated widths. When lighted, the effect was that of an elaborate candleabrum gleaming with flames from several levels. The name Lichstock clearly defines the purpose of this candlestand. It was decorated with ornaments and tinsel to give it a festive look. In many parts of Central Europe, the pyrqamid is still used. At first glance it gives the impression of a kind of Christmas what-not shelf, reminiscent of the Victorian stands used in parlors. Shelves of varying sizes were decorated with sprigs of evergreen. Candles, pictures, and figurines were placed on them. In Herefordshire, they were decorated with gilded evergreens, and apples, and nuts. Many times thee was a small homemade stand for each child in the family. Mementos of Christmas, keepsakes, and greeting cards were used to adorn the pyramid. In Italy the pyramid was called a ceppo, which means "log" , and may have been a substitute for the old practice of cutting and burning the Yule log. Since the pyramid was made of wood it could be kept from year to year, which helped in the conservation of woodland trees. Lights in the Christmas Celebration The tradition of using lights in the Christmas celebration is from the Hebrew feast of Hanukkah, (The Festival of Lights). During the middle ages, a large candle lit on Christmas Eve at church service (also at home) served as a reminder of the star at Bethlehem, or "as a light to lighten the Gentiles." From this practice came the widespread use of candles such as the lightstock, and from there the use of candles on a tree. Various omens were associated with candles according to the way in which they were lighted, or how well the light burned. In Scotland, before the Reformation, it was believed that if the candle went out before midnight, evil would fall on the familhy. If it continued to burn, it was extinguished and kept for the use at death watch of the head of the house. In the British Isles it was customary for candlemakers to give a large candle to their customers at Christmas. The custom was carried on in this country until local grocery and provision stores were replaced by supermarkets. In Ireland a large candle is always placed in the window on Christmas Eve to show the way and give a sign of welcome to the Holy Family. In the Slavic countries, the candle used is one blessed by the priest. In the Scandinavian countries two candles were placed on a festive board. One represents the husband, the other, the wife. It is believed that the candle which burnes out last foretells the survivor of the wedded pair. A three-branched candle representing the Trinity is also used at Christmas in many parts of Europe. In Pre-Christian times, the greeting for the Winter Solstice was, "I give you light for the year;" After Christ was born, it was, "I give you Christ - the Light of the World." Many German households have a "Star of Seven" which is a seven-branch candlestick. The candles are lighted on each Sunday in Advent - one of the first, two on the second, and so on. Members of the family or groups of friends sit about the lighted tapers singing seasonal carols and preparing home-made gifts for Christmas. During the Victorian era, Christams lights made of colored glass, hung with loops of wire, came into fashion for use on Christmas trees. They were safer than candles set in metal holders and clipped on tree branches., they gave a pleasant light because of the rich colors in the glass,. These lamps had floating wicks and burned oil which floated on water Candles were also used in these colored glass lights. Paterned glass was used because of the sparkling light they reflected. Gas jets for lighting were used about a hundred years ago. One description tells about an elaborate Christmas tree set up in a New York City church on which nearly 200 jets sparkled and glimmered through the branches. The use of electric light bulbs on trees was a novelty in the 1880's, but it was not long before colcored lights became the vogue for indoor and outdoor use. About 1895, Ralph E. Morris, an employee of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, obtained some twelve-volt (flashlight-sized) lights for telephone switchboards and fashioned them into a string of lights for his family's tree. The advent of modern lighting brought new glamor and glory to the old-fashioned Christmas tree. It could be illuminated safely indoors and out and today it provides one of our principal sources of municipal decoration. Ornaments In the pursuit of old traditions and customs, you will find inspiration in Christmas tree ornaments. The first ornamenbts were made to resemble the gifts that the shepherds brought to the Christ Child as portrayed in the Mystery plays. In Provedence, little clay figures of peasants and tradesmen known as santons are used in the Christmas cribs. All the villagers bring some useful gift, representative of their craft, to the Christ Child. Eggs were always among the offerings to any newborn child, with the wish that he or she would be as as whole as an egg. In later generations Christmas trees were decorated with eggshells elaborately painted. This custom was carried out at Christmas and Easter and is still a pasttime of those who enjoy old hobbies and ethnic traditions. As the popularity of the tree grew, a new industry was developed in the Thuringian Mountainsof Germany where the peasants made a wide variety of blown glass ornaments. (see Ornament Legends) The first ornaments were brought to America by families emigrating from Germany and England. They were included in the prized possessions that were brought to the New World. Later they were imported for sale. Flowers made of paper or cloth have been favorite forms of decoration for the Christmas tree for several centuries. Of all flowers the rose, for its form and color, its associations with the Virgin Mary, and the legend of the Christmas rose, continues to be a favorite. Cones of all types are not only appropriate but highly decorative because of their form, texture, long-lasting quality, and their association with the evergreen. Many legends are associated with pinecones. In Sicily it is believed that the form of a hand can be seen when a pinecone is split lengthwise. It was supposed to symbolize the hand of Jesus blessing the pine which saved Him during His flight to Egypt, by screening Him and His mother from Herod's soldiers. Cones are receptacles for the seed of evergreens and aid in its dispersal. Sometimes it is possible to obtain the tip of a mature tree with the cones attached to use at Christmas. Cones of the redwood and pinon pines are rounded and most appealing. The apple is said to be among the oldest of the symbolic decorations used on Christmas trees. Apples were cut, dried, and strung together as a chain, used whole, and fresh apples were used on trees as decorations. Decorations inspired by national customs give us an even closer look into the traditions of Christmas. In the Ukraine, a favorite ornament is a spider perched on its web, and his presence was desirable as it brought good luck. Tinsel means almost any kind of decoration that glitters, but we usually think of it as strings or garlands of metallic material. Icicles, snow, and "glitter" in a variety of forms add much to today's ornaments. The inspiration of using straw in decorations comes straight from the manger. The Scandinavian countries are renowned for their straw ornaments. Straw is also used to fill cradles as a reminder of the Christ Child's birth in a stable. |
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