The tree appeared just before Christmas Eve – about the time a 5 year old has given up all hope. One Christmas Eve, the sun shone through the window onto an empty space. The tree, a distinct shade of brown, showed up after dark. It was rehabilitated with lots of recycled tinsel, and removed before dinner the next day.

“Mother, why can’t we get a tree when the school does?”

“Ask your father.”

 Hmmm. Definitely a case of how badly did I want to know?

 O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy leaves are so unchanging;


O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy leaves are so unchanging;


Not only green when summer’s here, but also when ’tis cold and drear.


O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

“Father, why can’t we get our tree at the beginning of December?”

“Humph!

 If we got it then, it would be dead by Christmas.

By getting it later, we can keep it up into January.”

“Oh.”

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Much pleasure thou can’st give me;

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Much pleasure thou can’st give me;

How often has the Christmas tree , a
fforded me the greatest glee!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
Much pleasure thou can’st give me.



The Germans were the first to bring trees inside the house. No one knows why. And not everyone thought it was a good idea. In the 17^th century theologian Johann Dannhauer wrote, “Among other trifles which are set up during Christmas time, instead of God’s word is the Christmas tree or fir tree which is put up at home and decorated with dolls and sweets. Whence comes this custom, I know not.” I don’t think Johann was much fun at Christmas parties.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy candles shine so brightly!

From base to summit, gay and bright,
 there’s only splendor for the sight.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy candles shine so brightly!


When the German George I became king of England, he brought the Christmas tree with him. But no one paid attention until Prince Albert set one up in Windsor Castle in 1841. The Illustrated London News depicted the Queen Victoria’s Royal Family enjoying the tree. Suddenly everyone wanted to bedeck a tree with candles, quilted snowflakes, little baskets filled with sugared almonds, beads, silver tinsel and a Victorian angel on top.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 How richly God has decked thee!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 How richly God has decked thee!


Thou bidst us true and faithful be, 
and trust in God unchangingly.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 How richly God has decked thee!”


Well, God may have made the tree, but my chubby hands placed each strand of tinsel on a separate needle, and when it was time to take off the ornaments, each strand had to be individually removed so it could be used again. *sigh*

Childhood memories of tinsel distribution influence my adult decorating decisions. For years, I‘ve used an artificial tree. Not because I want to save the earth, but so I can put it up on the first day of December and keep it up until the 12^th Day of Christmas on January 6. I keep lights shining brightly. And, I never, ever use tinsel.

Lyrics to O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) written by Ernst Anschütz in 1824. Anschütz was less interested in Christmas trees than the evergreen fir’s faithfulness to life. While other trees gave up their leaves in winter, the evergreen maintains its true color.

How about you? Do you have childhood memories of tediously placing tinsel on the tree? Do you prefer living trees, fresh trees, or artificial trees? Leave a comment.

The post WHY IS THERE A TREE IN THE LIVING ROOM? first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.