The calendar has flipped to December, and once again, we turn our attention to Winter and celebrate the holiday season.
As is the tradition in many homes around the Western world, it is time to bring a tree (most often an evergreen) into the house for decoration. So this past week, Rett and I began our annual unpacking and decorating of our trees. We are very blessed to have a space for three trees: one for the front music room near the piano; one on the sun porch; and one in the great room. Each one has a unique size and shape and is decorated with ornaments specific to the tree and its location.
The Great Room Tree in 2022
The Sun Porch Tree
The Music Room Tree
According to history.com:
Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
And while we celebrate with the decorated evergreens inside, we enthusiastically anticipate the first snowfall of Winter, when the deciduous trees become monuments within a white Winter wonderland.
During this holiday season, let’s raise a glass to our trees and sing with Stephen Caraccoiolo Singers (below), Snoopy and Charlie Brown:
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter! Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit. O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How steadfast are your branches! Your boughs are green in summer’s clime And through the snows of wintertime. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How steadfast are your branches!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, What happiness befalls me when oft at joyous Christmas-time Your form inspires my song and rhyme. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, What happiness befalls me
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Dein Kleid will mich was lehren: Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit. O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson That constant faith and hope sublime Lend strength and comfort through all time. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson.
CPW
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