The 6th Day of Christmas

On the 6th Day of Christmas, we cut down a 6 foot Christmas Tree. Mouse and I started the tradition of going out on the first Saturday in December and getting our Christmas Tree. This morning, we all piled in the 3W Attractions pickup truck and rode over to Robert's Tree Farm and began the meticulous task of choosing our Christmas Tree. I was struggling today with a task for our challenge. After seeing this beautiful, 6 foot, Leland Cypress, I knew the Christmas Tree was what we would be using today. On our way home, we talked about where the tradition of the Christmas Tree came from and how long people have been doing it. I even wondered if people all over the world decorate trees at Christmas. After decorating our tree, we got on the computer and found the answers to our questions.

Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas in about the year 1500. The story goes, that he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth. He wanted to simulate the reflections of the starlit heaven that looked down over Bethlehem. The tradition most likely came to the US during the American Revolution with German immigrants. The Christmas tree market was born in 1851 when a farmer hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree, and 20 years later, the custom was nearly universal. I love traditions. I think they are the glue that binds families together. They are how we define our memories and what keeps us close. I am really enjoying learning the history and hope my family will remember so they can share with their families and keep up the traditions.