I see that the lights on the Vatican Christmas tree are to be lit tomorrow. I sometimes wonder when is the right time to put up the tree. I once knew a family of very devout Catholics who every year would go to get a tree on Christmas Eve which they decorated while listening to the service of nine lessons and carols from King`s College Cambridge on the radio. That seemed to make sense but then it meant the tree was only enjoyed for twelve days. The advantage was that trees were sold cheaply on Christmas Eve. However the Vatican thinks tomorrow is a good day for it. On reflection today, being the feast of St Lucy, may have been appropriate. In fact I think I`ll start that as a tradition next year now I think about it. In the meantime I`d better start rummaging through the presbytery cupboards to see what bits of Christmas decoration I can find. I suppose I really ought to start writing cards too. I always imagine I`ll have done this by December 8th but never have done.
6 comments:
We are putting the tree up on Saturday, we had planned on doing it sooner, along with cards. however as is traditional the children have spent the past month ill thus getting in the way of any sembalance of organisation. I will be ready for this Christmas sometime around Easter
Hello Skelly. Is that just because it is Saturday and more convenient? Hope the children are better soon.
Christmas Eve for us!
I am delighted to hear you are putting up a tree, Father. I have no opinion on when one should be put up except I think before mid December is definitely too early and I think it really should stay up until Feb 2nd, though I odn't know anyone who does this, except allegedly the Pope.
There are some moaners about who don't like the commercial hype and use that as an excuse not to make certain outward signs such as wearing their cracker hats and putting up trees. To me, not putting up a tree, despite the pagan (or not Christian anyway) origins of the tradition, is a sign of non-celebration of Christmas so if the presbytery desn't have a tree it's as though it's stating that it is a non-Christmas house. I am glad your is a Christmas house, Father, and that you are showing the world that you are "signed up" to Christmas.
"...there was once an Adam and Eve’s Day. It was celebrated on the medieval church calendar. Christmas Eve was called Adam and Eve’s Day. On that day, pageants and shows were performed depicting the fall of the ancient couple from the Garden of Eden. Always on stage, was the “paradise tree” which, of course, bore the forbidden fruit. Many German families set up this tree in the mid-1500s. This paradise tree could very well be the forerunner for our own Christmas tree."
http://thewitcontinuum.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/adam-and-eves-day/
Origin of the Christmas Tree:
...The Christmas tree reminds us of the tree in Eden by which Adam and Eve were overcome and which thrust them into sin. The baubles were once apples which represented the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
But more importantly, the evergreen Christmas tree reminds us of the Tree of Life by which our sins were overcome, namely the tree upon which Christ Jesus was crucified.
http://www.orlutheran.com/html/chrtree.html
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