Our Christmas Tree

Our tree.

The Tennessee Santa.

The "daughter" squirrel ornament.

One of my favorites...little Greg peeking out from in the tree.

The polar bear from Musee d' Orsee in Paris with sledding Kermit in the background.

Our Christmas tree has many memories tucked away in it's branches. From the Tennesse Santa to the little squirrel in the airplane, each ornament has a story. I grew up with a "real" tree each year, and Greg has been so sweet to continue this tradition. We also always put white lights on the tree. I'm thankful for the beauty of the tree, and enjoy the tradition and sentimental meaning attached to it. Below are two more reasons I enjoy having a Christmas tree...that it is alledgedly tied to the German reformer, Martin Luther is one, and the song "O Tannenbaum" is another. The third stanza of the song, literally translated, is my favorite. Please see below.

Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, 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. (http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html)

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!

Dein Kleid will mich

was lehren:

Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit

Gibt Trost und Kraft

zu jeder Zeit.

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!

Das soll dein Kleid

mich lehren.

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

Your dress wants to

teach me something:

Your hope and durability

Provide comfort and strength

at any time.

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree,

That's what your dress should

teach me.