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| End Homelessness by Marion 2014 |
A pagan tradition of using boughs of trees to decorate homes marking the winter solstice continued when Romans celebrated Saturnalia in honor of the deity, Saturn, on December 17th. Early Christians opposed the practice as pagan and Christian churches continued the opposition to the celebration of evergreens until mid-19th century.
Oliver Cromwell preached against “heathen' traditions and Puritans condemned the customs associated with Christmas- yule logs, holly, mistletoe, and carols. The Pilgrim Governor, William Bradford, a Calvinist, tried to stamp out “pagan mockery” at Christmas, and trees were not decorated during Colonial times.
Protestant Germans were the first to popularize the decoration of Christmas trees. During the 1840s and 50s, Prince Albert decorated trees for Queen Victoria. Out of love for the queen, the English began celebrating Christmas with tree decorations. In 1851, Pastor Henry Schwan of Cleveland, Ohio, was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree in a church.
The concept of trimming a tree at Christmas is world wide, but there is still opposition by fundamental religious groups as pagan observances. As late as Christmas 2000, the city manager of Eugene, Oregon, ordered no Christmas trees on city property since they are considered Christian symbols.
1 comment:
Happy Holiday to MrsB and all her many fans!
I hope the New Year brings Happiness and Joy and Prosperity for All.
2015 will certainly be different from 2014 in many ways - hopefully in more ways that count. Especially for the 99% that make everything we have and provide for what we need.
For the 1%, they can have a lump of coal. If they invest it wisely it might become a diamond*.
*fwiw: Diamonds don't really come from coal but it might be worth more than as a museum piece if they wait long enough.
http://geology.com/articles/diamonds-from-coal/
KimB
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