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Show Tree Use Traced To Forest Legend Legends dealing with the origin of j the use of the Christmas tree go as far back as the Tenth century when George Jacob, the Arabian geographer, geogra-pher, declared that all of the trees in the forest blossomed and bore fruit the night of our Lord's Nativity. It is believed that Jacob's story might have led to the later custom of hanging anr.les and fruits on the evergreen tree, and, as is the habit in certain parts of Europe, of using a blossoming cherry sapling in the home as a Christmas tree. One August Imgart introduced the Chriftmas tree to America 100 years 80 in Wooster, Ohio, and, in so doing, do-ing, preserved the tradition that had been handed down in Germany. In 1851. Rev. Henry C. Schwan, pastor of Zion Lutheran church in Cleveland, Cleve-land, Ohio, put up the first Christmas Christ-mas tree in a church in this country, coun-try, for which he and his 'parishioners 'parishion-ers were severely denounced by other oth-er congregations. One of the most beautiful legends concerning the Christmas tree is the ancient tale dealing with the forester forest-er and his houjchold, who had just gathered around the fireside on Christmas eve when they heard a timid knock on the door. The forester opened the door to behold a little child shivering on the steps. Touched by the child's cold and apparent exhaustion, the forest er took him in, and he was welcomed wel-comed by the whole family and warmed and fed. Later, the forester's forest-er's son, Hans, gave up his bed to the little child. In the morning, the family was awakened by the singing of a choir of angels, and looking at their little guest saw him standing transfigured in their midst. They recognized him as the Christ child. As the Lord Jesus bade the family farewell, He broke off a branch from a fir tree, set it in the earth, and said, "Behold, "Be-hold, I have gladly received your kind gifts, and this is my gift to you. Henceforth, this tree shall al-ays al-ays bear its fruits at Christmas time and you shall always have abundance." The first community Christmas , tree was set up in Paris, France, in j 1840, but was not popularly accept- J ed throughout the world until the , advent of electricity, when the light- j ing could be stabilized and proper effect given to its display. Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who came to England in 1840 to wed the young Victoria, is credited with bringing the Christmas tree to the British isles. |