St Boniface and the Christmas tree
You probably know the story of how Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert brought the tradition of Christmas trees to England from Germany, but how did the tradition begin there?
According to one legend a monk from Devon who became known as St Boniface, was the creator of the very first Christmas tree. In the early part of the 8th century, Boniface was sent as a missionary to the area we now know as Germany. He was a compassionate man working tirelessly in the country and founding many Christian churches. He became Archbishop of Mainz and founded or restored the diocese of Bavaria.
One winter, around the time of the Winter Solstice, it was said he came across a group of people worshipping under an old oak tree and performing some cruel rituals. Horrified and distressed at what he witnessed Boniface took hold of an axe and chopped down the tree. As he did this he declared to those gathered the message of God’s love in Jesus. A little fir tree stood close by. Some say that Boniface planted the tree, others say that it grew spontaneously in place of the oak tree. One legend tells us that the people who had embraced the message of Jesus returned the following year and decorated the little tree and renamed their winter celebrations, Christmas.
Here is a selection of decorated trees in the Church from Christmas 2008
The fir was seen as a symbol of God’s love, pointing to heaven, it’s branches open wide as God’s arms are open wide in welcome. The fir tree stays ever-green reminding us of the everlasting life and love of God. It was from the wood of the humble fir that the people in the forest built their homes to protect them and their fires to keep them warm. It would remind them of Jesus who was laid in a manger, lived in a carpenter’s home, died on a cross and was raised to new life for evermore. It would remind them to keep Him at the heart of their households.
Nowadays Christmas trees, decorated in ever more remarkable ways, are an increasingly popular part of the Christmas season and bring cheer and light and creativity into long winter days in our part of the world. They also, as ever, stand strong and are a symbol of the love and light of Jesus Christ in our homes and in our streets.
A Prayer Of St. Boniface
Eternal God, the refuge and help of
all your children, we praise you for all
you have given us, for all you have
done for us, for all that you are to us.
In our weakness, you are our
strength, in our darkness, you are
light, in our sorrow you are comfort
and peace. We cannot number your
blessings, we cannot declare your
love. For all your blessings we bless
you. May we live as in your presence,
and love the things that you love, and
serve you in our daily lives, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.