O Christmas Tree Tradition
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
~ Isaiah 40:28-29
Listen While You Read
The aromas of our busy Christmas at my grandparents’ home in Springfield, Pennsylvania linger in the air, and the house is finally settling into a quiet, peaceful rest. My grandmother, Phyllis Geltz, and I make our way to the Christmas tree. I don’t recall when this became a tradition for us, but for as long as I can remember, every Christmas she and I would quietly meet up there during the Christmas holiday. We would sit together on her rocking chair, me on her lap when I was young, then sort of scooted up, side-by-side, when I was older. The lights in the room were dimmed to bring out the colorful glow of lights on the tree.
We would sit together taking in the moment and then would begin to sing O Christmas Tree. Clumsily attempting some of the verses in German, in honor of our German heritage, and then switching to English when we struggled to find the words. Usually, this ended in us giggling together, followed by reminiscing about past Christmas holidays and other combined memories. This tradition continued faithfully until she passed away in 2006.
Motivated by our theme of Christmas carols this year, I decided to research the origin of our special song by reading about it in More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins. According to Collins, the origins of O Christmas Tree come from a few different places and people.
It was first published in 1799 in the German songbook Melodien zum Mildheimischen Liederbuch and was believed to have been based on a familiar folk song. It was republished in a different version about 20 years later by August Zarnack who added additional verses using wording from an ancient folk song “O Dannedbom (O Fir Tree)”. In 1824, Ernst Anschuetz, a German composer and teacher, added two more verses to Zarnack’s carol. His verses were influenced by the theology of Martin Luther who used the evergreen tree as a symbol of the everlasting nature of God’s love.
Martin Luther chose the Christmas tree as this symbol because the evergreen’s color never fades - just as God’s love never fades. The light and hope that Christ brought to the world with his birth and resurrection were symbolized by the candles placed on the tree. He saw the tree summarizing all elements of Christian faith, not just the first Christmas. Prince Albert was the first person in Britain to sing “O Tannenbaum” and soon after it was translated into English, with additional verses added. It was introduced in the mid-1840s in the United States.
As my grandmother and I looked at our tree, it was always a magical moment in which time was suspended and we both felt the convergence of past, present and future. This year, I will listen and sing the song with a deeper reverence as I look upon the tree with a renewed awe and wonder as I reflect on the deep Christian symbolism represented in our Christmas tree.
Verse 1
O Christas tree, O Christmas tree, thy leaves are green forever. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, thy beauty leaves thee never. Thy leaves are green in summer’s prime, thy leaves are green at Christmas time. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, thy leaves are green forever.
Verse 2
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! Thou tree most fair and lovely! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! Thou tree most fair and lovely! Thou dost proclaim the Savior’s birth, good will to men and peace on earth. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! Thou tree most fair and lovely.
Verse 3
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! Thou has a wonderful message! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! Thou has a wondrous message! Thou dost proclaim the Savior’s birth, good will to men and peace on earth. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! Thou has a wondrous message.
Reflect on the Word
Isaiah 40:3-5, 28-31 (Message)
Pray
Everlasting God,
Like the evergreen tree whose color never fades, Your love endures through all seasons. You give strength to the weary and power to the weak; You lift us when we stumble. As lights shine upon the tree, we remember Christ, the Light of the world, bringing peace on earth and good will to all. Renew us, Lord, as we wait upon You. May we rise on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.
Through Christ our Savior, Amen.