Decorated =
evergreen trees pre-dated Christianity in Teutonic (German) Europe =
traditions. A MALE FAIRY at the top of the [Christmas] tree was typical =
in mid-winter festivals.
As Christianity took hold of the =
once-pagan lands, a little figure of the BABY JESUS was substituted as a =
tree-topper.
In late =
seventeenth century Germany, the tree-topper became a shining ANGEL. =
18th century Britain even saw little girls take the angel =
down after Christmas and dress it in dolls’ clothes. =
Eventually the =
angel turned into a thoroughly FEMALE FAIRY, complete with wand. The =
transformation was boosted by the pantomimes that became popular in the =
Victorian era – and,
naturally, included a good fairy in the =
cast.
CHERUBS (baby =
angels – think Cupid with bow-and-arrow, not Cupid Santa’s =
reindeer) hung on trees, represent the angels who heralded the birth of =
Christ, but not used as tree-toppers
By modern day, =
STARS have knocked angels off the top of the nation’s Christmas trees. =
The star, which forms one of the most important ornaments of the =
Christmas tree, indicates the guiding star which led the shepherds and =
the magi to the new-born Jesus Christ in =
Bethlehem.
Today, demand =
has fallen so much that some retailers have dropped angel tree toppers =
from inventory. In 1990, angels were still outselling stars as tree =
toppers. Now, stars outsell angels more than 10 to =
1.
[personal =
note: we have two small 3-foot trees in our new home. On the porch is =
one with a star; in the living room is one with an angel. Yep. =
Hedging our bets in case angels make a comeback.] =
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] =
www.grif.net =
"Jesus =
Knows Me, This I Love!"