Oh, Tannenbaum

Long before the advent of Christianity, the boughs of pine, spruce and other trees that remained green year around were hung in homes to ward off evil spirits and Illness.  Many ancient people believed that the sun was a god, and that winter came each year because the sun god had become ill and weak.   Evergreen branches reminded them of all the green plants that would spring back to life when the sun god regained his health and returned (which, of course, he inevitably did) bringing summer and a plentiful bounty with him. 

Germany is credited with starting the tradition of Christmas trees as we now know them, when devout Christians brought  them into their homes in the 16th century.  Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, is said to have been the first to add lights to a tree.   Observing the star-lit sky one winter night, he decided to re-create that scene by adding candles, attached by wire, to the branches of his family's Christmas tree.

This stately tree graces the parlor in a Victorian bed-and-breakfast
in Hannibal, MO.  Yvonne and a long-time friend from college
recently stayed here during their annual visit.

While German immigrants had Christmas trees in their homes and communities in America as early as 1747, Puritan New England tried hard to stamp out the "pagan mockery" of the festivities.  In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts colony enacted a law outlawing Christmas carols and decorated trees, and making any event - other than a church service - that celebrated December 25 a punishable offense.  That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.

In 1847, the popular British monarch, Queen Victoria, and her husband, Prince Albert,  were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived.

This Victorian-era tree is set up in the parlor of Henry Shaw's home
at the Missouri Botanical Gardens (Shaw's Garden) in St. Louis

Another beautiful Victorian Christmas tree at Shaw's Garden

Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.

One of two Christmas trees in our house. This one is in the living
room, with a green tree in the family room.  Sophie relaxes on
the back of the couch, waiting for Santa Claus

And so, in this edition we share with you a few of the Christmas trees and Christmas decorations in our community.  But among all the glitter, we pause to remember the birth of a little Child in a manger in Bethlehem two thousand years ago.  We pause, too, to reflect on the blessings we have received in our lives, the blessings of freedom, of health, and especially the blessings of family and friends.  We wish all of you the most wonderful and joyous Christmas and the blessing of good health, a loving family and supportive friends in 2016.

St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Washington, MO has a wonderful holiday tradition.
Other churches in town, schools, businesses, civic organizations and individuals are
invited to erect and decorate trees at St. Peter's.  This year, 85 trees were decorated.

The public is then invited to view and "judge" the trees.  Each can of food donated to the
local food pantry is worth one vote.  Literally thousands of cans of food are collected
for the food pantry.  The creators of the winning tree get "bragging rights"

A lot of unique trees, including this one, with green lights in the shape of a
tree, with the area inside the lights completely covered in ornaments.

Or this one at St. Peter's, completely covered in butterflies

Of course, the most famous television tree of all, Charlie Brown's tree from
the holiday classic "A Charley Brown Christmas" is there at St. Peter's, too!

This tree represents "sweets", with cotton candy, gingerbread men
and lollipops. Note the canned goods piled underneath.  Each can
represents one "vote" for this tree.

In a nod to the opening of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", the
Washington Public Library created this Darth Vader-styled tree

This unique tree at Yvonne's parents' house was created by her
Mom.  It is completely covered in little Santa Claus figures
from the 1940's and 1950's.  Each Santa is 2 to 3 inches tall

One of the trees at St. Peter's UCC has as its theme "The Twelve Days of Christmas".
This is a close-up of "Eights Maids a-Milking"

A tree at St. Peter's completely decorated in a "Fishing Tackle" theme

Close up of some of the details on the "Fishing" tree, including a lure (hooks covered
with tape), and a bobber.  The yellow and blue "garland" is nylon rope

The bodies of these hand-made "people" ornaments on this tree at
St. Peter's UCC are pine cones and the heads are crocheted.

One of our favorites, this tree at St. Peter's is titled "Heroes" and is
decorated with pictures of U.S. servicemen from WWII to the Vietnam era

Hand-knit "people" ornaments made by Yvonne's Mom have
a prominent place on the tree in our family room

Some more of the trees on display at St. Peter's UCC.  The one in the
foreground is hung with license plates from all over the Midwest.
It was decorated by a police officer and his family

This tree at St. Peter's is decorated in a Mardi Gras theme

This "Mizzou" themed tree at St. Peter's UCC was decorated
by the Mizzou Alumni Association of Franklin County

Close up of some of the ornaments on the Mizzou tree

A traditional Nativity scene outside of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Washington, MO

A non-traditional Nativity scene, created in the rear of a vehicle for the Washington
Holiday Parade.  The "float" was sponsored by a local bed-and-breakfast
A sign on the side of the float read "There IS room at The Brick Inn"

Another unique Christmas Tree, this one at a local shop called
"Not Just Cut & Dried", owned by another woman who
attended college with Yvonne

This tree at St. Peter's UCC was decorated by the Quilters' Club.  All of those ornaments
were hand-quilted and then stuffed with foam 

This tree at St. Peter's UCC was erected by a company that
sells radio communication equipment, including towers.
Santa is climbing a radio tower draped in garland and lights.

This tree at St. Peter's UCC is really striking, done in all
red and white lights, with red ornaments

A Victorian child's Christmas on display at Shaw's Garden

A Victorian Village set up at St. Peter's UCC in Washington

Close-up of one of the buildings in the Victorian Village

We were told that this village represents about half of the collection of miniature
buildings owned by the woman who set up this display at the church

One of our favorites - an enormous tree covered in electric blue LED lights on  the grounds
of the Missouri Botanical Gardens (Shaw's Garden) in St. Louis

The beautiful lobby of Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis features a 10-foot green tree
decorated all in red.  Santa was there visiting with kids attending the holiday concert

This tree at St. Peter's UCC continuously "snows"

 

The City of Washington Municipal Christmas Tree.  The Missouri
River can be seen on the left side of the photo  

A unique "upside-down" tree at St. Peter's UCC

More trees at St. Peter's UCC in Washington, MO

This tree at St. Peter's UCC includes a snowman built right on top of the tree

We happened to catch Santa gassing up his ride at a local gas station.  We have heard that following his busy night on December 24, he is heading out in his RV for some much needed rest, and looking for his own Road Stories.   

Santa fills up the gas tank...

...and gets ready to hit the road for a well-deserved vacation

We would like to dedicate this holiday edition of Road Stories to Yvonne's Mom and Dad, Tracy and Dorothy Brown, who this month are celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary.  Happy anniversary...we love you.

Dorothy and Tracy Brown