Finally, the Christmas tree is decorated. It looks pretty. I did something different this year. I used white, blue, and copper instead of my normal red, gold, and copper. It looks pretty cool. Last year I felt like my red, gold, and copper tree looked too warm in this oceany, cool, blue house. We have two trees (Big Saver thrift store two years ago, $7 a piece) and the boys' tree is at the top of the stairs, where they were allowed to decorate freely this year. Felix kept trying to destroy everything and Silas is a tad bit free-spirited, so Corin was the one to try to place the ornaments so they looked right. He did great! I would take a picture, but my camera broke in Florida (still under warranty, thank goodness).
Anyway, I'm pleased with my pagan tree. Oops, did I let a tiny bit of cynicism slip in? My bad. I did have a wonderful time with the men in my life; hot chocolate was consumed and Over the Rhine's SnowAngel played instead of Burl Ives. If you're looking for something different to listen to, I highly recommend this CD by my most favorite of bands. Just click on the title and it should play. OTR is playing it this month on their online record player. It has become a favorite (I listened to it for over three hours today).
Have a good night!
About Me
- Kim
- A wife, mother, and daughter of the Most High. My hubby is in Seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. We've been married for eleven years and have three busy boys and a sweet baby girl. This is a blog chronicling my thoughts and real life experiences. Join me on my rollercoaster...
The Darlings
Corin, Silas, Felix, and Lida B
12 comments:
Apparently we decided to go non-pagan this year. No ornaments! Just a tree. In my living room. Undecorated. For a whole week!
The Germans started the use of a Christmas Tree and tied it into Advent. They were trying to add spiritual meaning to the winter solace which was the holiday that was celebrated at this time of year - not Jesus' birthday. So, Christmas trees are good things.
Kimmy, can you teach me how to do links? It would have made my last post so much easier rather than creating 2 separate posts.
ooh.. teach me too.
i was bumbed to not see a pic of your, im sure, beautiful tree. Oh and what kind of camera do you have.. is in a DSLR?
Okay. Links. What I did for the OTR album was type Snow Angel. After I typed Snow Angel, I highlighted it with the mouse and went to the link thing on your new post blogger page. It looks like chain links- just like when you e-mail pictures. When you highlight the link, out pops a little box and you can type the web address of what you're trying to link. Super easy!
Rachel, yes my camera is an SLR. It is a Nikon D40. I love it.
Yeah for the tree!
At our hanging of the green service we learned that Martin Luther is attributed with lighting a tree. Its a very nice story if you've never heard it.
We on for Tuesday?
Yeah, I'm going to try to reserve the Yak tonight at our Christmas cookie exchange. I'm interested in your Martin Luther story. Do tell, maybe blog about it.
Martin Luther and The Christmas Tree
One German legend claims that Martin Luther was responsible for introducing the use of Christmas trees in the home, in Germany. According to the legend, on his way home one evening, Martin Luther was so overcome by the beauty of a fir tree and stars in the sky, he wanted to tell his family about it. However, upon returning home, words failed him, so he went out and chopped the down and brought it home to share with his family. To mimic the stars that hung over the manger where Christ was born, Martin Luther decorated the tree with candle tapers. This was thought to be the first traditional Christmas tree in Germany.
http://german-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/martin_luther_and_christmas
Who is this anonymous caped crusader? I love Martin Luther stuff. Thanks!
Yes, who is that? I was going to tell!!! Thunder stealer...reveal yourself!
argh! I wanted to tell it too!! Be brave oh anonymous one...for you are amongst clever Luther lovers! We applaud your kind and allowest thou in our inner circle!
Anyway, yeah, I love the Luther story, and I've got the advent thingie (Jesse's tree thingie that I got from Graced. but, every time I say "Jesse's tree" I want to break out in that "oh, you know I wish that i had jesse's girl!" 80s song.)
Oh. I like you so much, Kim. I really do.
Perhaps the origins of the modern day Christian Christmas tree began with Martin Luther, but the art of tree decorating began LONG before that as a pagan ritual in many cultures. It was a way of warding off evil spirits. They decorated with dead bodies, and body parts, of both humans and animals. I believe the druids are known for this in particular. Saw a show about it a few years ago. Freaked me out!
I guess it's all in your motive and what's in your heart that matters! We decorate the tree..usually. Except for this year. It's bare! But not on purpose.
I am glad you liked Snow Angels. I love it. I start playing it way before Christmas and usually continue into the new year. I thought about falling on my knees and begging Virge's sister-in-law to sing White Horse at our church during Advent, but I figured she might not appreciate that behavior. Somehow the original Christmas songs feel like childhood Christmas, yummy comfortable Christmas songs. How do they do that?
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