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Show CkriAlmai Vree Jj f50 yearJ Old Jn 7Jii3 Country A CHRISTMAS TREE will be put up in two out of every three American homes this year. Yet the trimmed Christmas tree, as it la known today, is only about 150 years, old In this country. The Pilgrims forbade Christmas celebrations on the grounds they were pagan A Massachusetts law in 1689 subjected anyone to a fine who observed the day by feasting, refraining from work or in any other manner. It was not until near the end " of the . American . Revolution that the Christmas tree took hold. German . immigrants, homesick for the tradition of their, native land, pt them op. The custom of the lighted Christmas Christ-mas tree, some historians tell, originated with Martin Luther. He was fascinated by evergreen trees, glistening with starlit-snow, pointing point-ing to the heavens at Christmas time. So he brought an evergreen tree into his house and; lighted it with candles for his children. . Another old German legend credits cred-its St. Boniface with the origin of the Chrlitmas tree. Having converted con-verted some oak tree-worshipping Druids to Christianity, he took them into a forest, cut down an oak and pointed to. a stately fir along side. "Take this tree," he said, "into your homes as a sign of your new worship. Celebrate God's power no. more with shameful rites, but in . the sanctity of your homes with laughter and love." I " 1 |
