By Jacqueline Kelly –
One of the earliest records of candles being used at Christmas is from the Middle Ages, where a large candle was used to represent the Star of Bethlehem. Jesus is sometimes called “The Light of the World” by Christians. This started the custom of the Advent candles.
Saint Jerome said candles were a way to express Christian joy. Many see them as a symbol of Christ, the Light of the World. Legends tell us that candles in windows guide the Christ Child as He wanders from house to house on Christmas Eve. They have also been used to symbolize the stars in the sky, particularly the sun in the pagan tradition, and the “Star of Wonder” in the Christian tradition.
Candles, as well as bonfires, helped to drive away the forces of cold and darkness, since this was the time when the sun ceased to wane and began to grow stronger and brighter. Wax tapers were given as gifts at the Roman festival of Saturnalia. The addition of lighted candles to the paradise tree marked the birth of our beloved Christmas tree.
The use of real candles on Christmas trees varies In different parts of the world. When the Hessian soldiers were quartered in Trenton in 1776, they introduced Christmas trees to that area and decorated them with candles. This tradition continued until 1895 when Ralph Morris, a phone company employee in New England, trimmed a tree with strings of lights that had been manufactured for use in telephone switchboards.
In Sweden, St. Lucia appears wearing a crown of candles. In Victorian England, tradesmen made annual gifts of candles to their loyal customers.
In Austria, nearly everyone uses candles on the tree in their homes. Strings of electric lights are used for outdoor trees. The Bavarian region of Germany also has a strong regard for tradition and many homes in that beautiful Alpine region decorate their Christmas trees with candles.
A warm, glowing, colourful candle adds a special and unique touch to nearly every occasion. Homemade candles not only make us proud of our artwork but looks fabulous too when combined with all other seasonal decorations.
We still use candles, but electric lights on trees and around town have modernized the tradition, and made it safer.
CHRISTMAS TREES
The Christmas Tree is the most significant symbol of the Christmas season.
Apart, from its historical origin, the Christmas tree evokes both the tree planted in the Centre of Eden [Gen 2:9] and the tree of the Cross, which lends it a Christological significance. Christ is the true tree of life, born of human stock, of the Virgin Mary, the tree which is always green and productive.
The evergreen fir tree has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals [Pagan and Christian] for thousands of years. Pagans used branches of it to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as it made them think of the spring to come. The Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia. Christians use it as a sign of everlasting life with God.
The inventor of the Christmas tree was Saint Boniface, the Apostle of Germany. In 723 St. Boniface came across a human sacrifice of the God Thor in Geismar at the foot of the oak they worshipped. To convince the people and the Druids that it was not a sacred tree, he cut it.
In its fall, the oak destroyed all that was there except a small pine tree. According to tradition, St. Boniface called this a miracle. It was the season of Advent and, as he preached about Christmas he said: “From now on, we will call this, the tree of the Infant Jesus.”
The custom of decorating trees with roses, apples and coloured paper originated in Germany in the 16th century. History has it that Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a tree with candles, after he observed the beauty of a fir tree as star light shone through its leaves one winter night.
The custom of planting small pine trees to celebrate the birth of Jesus began and spread throughout Germany. Soon, the Christmas tree was being decorated with silver tinsel, sugar candies, apples, glass beads and small gift pouches. The tradition of the Christmas tree spread to other countries as more and more Germans immigrated to other parts of the world.
In the Nordic countries, the tree is decorated with apples and hosts. “Gifts” can be added; but among the gifts placed under the tree, something should be included for the poor since they belong to every Christian family. This event also offers an opportunity for family prayer.
In the 19th century, the Christmas tree also known in some European countries as the “Tree of Christ” spread throughout the world as a symbol of one’s joy at Christmas to celebrate the birth of the Divine Child.
There are many legends about the Christmas tree, but in essence, the fir tree, being an evergreen tree symbolises God’s everlasting love. Being winter in the Northern hemisphere, there would be snow resting on the branches, and these sparkling in the moonlight are a reminder of Jesus, the light of the world. When decorated, the tree is ablaze with light and colour.
1840 – Prince Albert put up the first Christmas Tree in Britain at Windsor Castle.