"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. " -Helen Keller

Saturday, December 13, 2008

SHOW AND TELL: Our Christmas Tree



I wanted to share pics of our tree this year. Its not quite as *big as our trees in the past and, because of that, I only got to use half my decorations. I chose to leave off my fancier and more breakable ornaments so we could display all the ornaments the kids have made or collected. I think this is one of the most beautiful trees we have ever had because all 3 kids helped to decorate it.

Although the indoor decorate Christmas tree is uniquely Christian, the roots of this tradition stretch as far back as the Egyptians. The Egyptians treasured and worshiped evergreens...branches were brought indoor at the winter solstice to represent the triumph of life over death. The Romans celebrated the winter solstice by decorating their houses with lights, evergreen boughs, and exchanging gifts. The Druids decorated trees outdoors, used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and placed evergreen branches over their doors to keep away evil spirits. In the middle ages, the Germans and Scandinavians put evergreens either inside their home or just outside their doors to show hope for the spring. Legend has it that by the 12th century, the evergreen tree was being hung upside down as the three sides were said to represent the father, son, and holy ghost. Around 1500, the evergreen tree was turned over and decorated by Martin Luther in honor of the birth of Christ.

To see what everyone else in class is bringing to SHOW AND TELL, take a trip to visit the Goddess of the Infertility Blogosphere.

*I have to leave room for Gabe to run laps through the house.

**I am also using this post to enter my tree in the Show Me Your Tree event sponsored by (un)complicate me.

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I am attempting to organize a project for a very special blogger we all know and love. If you want in on the secret, EMAIL ME.

21 comments:

areyoukiddingme said...

Ooh -very pretty!

Kara said...

Very nice and sparkly.

PREEEEEETY!!!!!!

Soralis said...

Very nice... thanks for sharing the story of trees as well!

Baby Smiling In Back Seat said...

I can't imagine how many ornaments you might accumulate over the course of three childhoods!

AnotherDreamer said...

Beautiful tree :)

I'm glad you acknowledged that about the tree.

Some interesting information...
People do think the tree is uniquely Christian, but it is very much Pagan too. They celebrate Yule, for the Winter Solstice. Hence we get the "Yuletide" Season. They had a tradition of bringing a living tree into the home, decorating it, singing down a star to rest over the tree and to guard over the home, and at the end of winter they took the tree out and let it tell them where *it* wanted to live.

The Steadfast Warrior said...

A very lovely tree!

Wishing 4 One said...

Your tree is AMAZING! I never knew about Egyptians and evergreens, very cool. Here in Cairo, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, coptic christmas. You see some lights on houses around, but not as much as back there. But most malls and hotels are all decorated for chirstmas this month, its a cool mix of cultures here I love it.

'Murgdan' said...

Very pretty. Here I just decorated my Norfolk Pine living Christmas tree...it's a little 'charlie brown(ish)' but still cute. I love Christmas trees. :-)

Sam said...

what a pretty tree! I put mine up on Friday and I wonder how many Show and Tells this week will be about their Christmas Tree!!?

Rebel With.A.Cause said...

Awww it is very pretty sweetie!!!

Beautiful Mess said...

Beautiful tree! You guys did a wonderful job decorating it.
Enjoy your day!
hugs,
-D

Cara said...

We just put up ours yesterday and had to admit we didn't have as many ornaments as we thought. Odd- with three kids..you would THINK we would have plenty.

Regardless...it looks beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Ooh I like your tree. Our tree is still without a topper, so we're not QUITE there!

P.S. I'm not sure how to do snow on Blogger. I know it was in the extras category on Wordpress in appearance. Hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous! Thanks for playing along! :)

MrsSpock said...

Loverley!

Dora said...

Beautiful. Interesting info.

Email me your secret!! I have an idea percolating, too. Need to write a couple of emails. :-)

battynurse said...

Pretty!!

..al said...

Very beautiful indeed and thanks for such an informative post!

*T* said...

What a beautiful tree. It's so nice when the whole family is able to help and contribute!

Jamie said...

What a beautiful tree! And interesting about the Egyptians - I never knew that.

Thanks for the info about the underwater video camera! I greatly appreciate it!!

littleangelkisses said...

Your tree is so pretty! I love it!

Thanks for the origins of the tree story too!