WHO INVENTED THE CHRISTMAS TREE?

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1924, Page 12 (Supplement)

WHO INVENTED THE CHRISTMAS TREE?

Almost every country claims the honour of having given the Christmas tree to the world. France’s claim runs as follows: Tn the thirteenth century, a certain hero found a tree whose branches were hung with candles, some upright, some reversed, and on whose top-most bough was a child with a halo round his curly head. The Pope was asked for an explanation of this phenomenon. He declared that the tree represented mankind, the child the Saviour, and the candles the good and bad people. Germany has, of course, many legends connected with the Christmas tree. One of the oldest makes St. Winifred responsible for the Yuletide tradition that brings joy to so many little lives. It states that the venerable Saint was one day surrounded by a group of his disciples, and he began to hew down a mighty oak, which had once been the object of Druidic worship. As he wa?. in the act of doing so <there sprang Up a tremendous gale, which gripped the oak and caused it to fall. Out of the centre sprang a young fir tree, whose branches seemed to be outlined, with shining stars. Whatever the origin of fho Christmas tree, it was Queen. Victoria who first introduced it into England. HER MISFORTUNE, Bridget O’Flannagan left Ireland with excellent “characters,”' all written on parchment. On the way over to America, however, while admiring the documents, they were caught by a gust of wind and carried overboard. In great distress she went to the priest who accompanied the immigrants and told him what had happened. ''That will be alright,” said he, “I’ll write you a note.” He did. “Bridget O’Flannagan left Ireland with an excel- , lent character, but has unfortunately lost jt on thQ way over.’’ '<