Boniface

There are many “stories” of the Christmas tree, however…

The tradition of decorating Christmas trees (evergreen trees) during the Christmas season has deep roots in history, with one of the earliest stories dating back to the 8th century and involving a remarkable individual named St. Boniface. St Boniface, who has gone down in history as “the Apostle of the Germans”.

St. Boniface, who was actually born and named “Winfrid” in the 7th century, was a missionary from England who dedicated his life to spreading Christianity. One fateful winter day, he embarked on a journey to the region of Hesse, in present-day Germany, to evangelize the local pagan tribes. Legend has it that during his travels, he came across a group of people gathered around a “mighty” oak tree, preparing to make a human sacrifice in honor of the thunder god, Thor.

Driven by compassion and a fervent (I think I heard this word in a recent sermon at ECN…) desire to put an end to this barbaric ritual, St. Boniface intervened, they believed that their “god” was so powerful that no axe could bring harm to it. Boniface knew that his God the true God was more powerful and truly real. To their surprise, Boniface chopped down this tree. To his surprise, standing in the place of the fallen oak was a small fir tree, untouched by the axe and bathed in a soft, heavenly light. Recognizing the divine symbolism, St. Boniface seized the opportunity to share the story of Christ’s birth with the astounded crowd, using the evergreen tree as a metaphor for eternal life and the promise of a new beginnings.

Inspired by this miraculous event, the people embraced Christianity, and the evergreen tree became a powerful symbol of faith, hope, and the enduring spirit of Christmas. Over time, the tradition evolved, and the custom of decorating Christmas trees with ornaments, lights, and candles spread throughout Europe.

By the 16th century, the Christmas tree tradition had taken root in Germany, and it gradually spread to other parts of Europe. The custom gained widespread popularity in the 19th century when Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s German husband, introduced the Christmas tree to England. Subsequently, as European immigrants carried the tradition to North America, it became an integral part of Christmas celebrations worldwide.

The story of St. Boniface and the first Christmas tree weaves together elements of bravery, cultural transformation, and the enduring power of symbols. Today, as families around the world gather to decorate their Christmas trees, the legacy of St. Boniface continues to resonate, reminding us that the holiday season is a time for joy, renewal, and the celebration of timeless traditions. Jesus is truly the reason for the season.

Although you may have never heard of the missionary Boniface, chances are you have put up a Christmas tree for years.

I encourage you to look more into this missionary and to learn more about Boniface and the impact he made for Christianity.

Blessings,
Pastor Jonathan W. Pannell