A CHRISTMAS TREE LEGEND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2545, 24 December 1902, Page 28 (Supplement)

A CHRISTMAS TREE LEGEND.

A pretty story by Henry Vandyke, published a few years ago, places the origin of the Christmas tree in the year 722. Winifred, or Boniface, otherwise known as the apostle of Germany, was great as scholar, preacher, and traveller, but forsook the haunts of men to penetrate the remotest wilds, proclaiming the Gospel to the heathen. On one of these journeys he came on a vast multitude gathered round the thunder oak, before v/hich fire had been kindled in honour of the god Thor. They were about to sacrifice a young child, an old priest, Hunrad, explaining that by doing so they hoped to propitiate the god of thunder. Boniface struck aside the weapon descending on the innocent victim, sprung on the sacred altar, called on his few followers for aid, and led them in chopping down the oak, crying, "Tree god, art thou angry? Thus we smite thee ! " When the oak was down he drew the attention of the awe-struck multitude to a young fir, bidding them carry it to the chieftain's hall, and proclaiming that no more should they seek the shadows of the forest, but at home, with rites of love, should make merry, and that the time was coming when all children ia Germany should gather round the fir, rejoicing over the birth of Christ.

[Specially Written for tub Otaoo Daily Times and Witxess Christmas Annial, 1902.]