ADVENT 4: FIR

CHILDREN GATHER IN WONDER

Walking home one Advent night, Martin Luther (1483-1546), was captivated by the beauty of a fir tree against the backdrop of the brilliant starlit sky.  The story goes that, longing to convey this marvel to his family, he chopped down an evergreen tree and brought it home, decorating it with candle tapers to mimic the stars that shone over the manger where the Messiah lay.  Luther taught his children the Nativity story in song, as well, in a carol written for their Christmas Eve celebrations:

From Heav'n above to Earth I come
To bear good news to ev'ry home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I will now say and sing:

To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This little child of lowly birth
Shall be the joy of all the Earth….

Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Follow the shepherds and draw near
To see this wondrous gift of God
Who hath his only Son bestowed.

And who doesn’t know the German favorite, “O Tannenbaum”?  Take time to recover a childhood memory – when a fir tree glowing with lights, ornaments and tinsel evoked wonder in you.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are thy branches!
Not only green when summer's here
But in the coldest time of year.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are thy branches!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
Each bough doth hold its tiny light,
That makes each toy to sparkle bright.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!