A 1776 Christmas and Queen Victoria’s Christmas Tree
The way we celebrate Christmas has changed through the ages, but giving Glory to God is timeless!!
It is December 25, 1776. Is the future first President of the United States relaxing at home around a Christmas tree patting his overfull belly? No! He is rallying his troops to cross the Delaware River and participate in what would be known as the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776. Was Christmas Day chosen because of a surprise element breaking a Christmas Day truce? Did he believe the British soldiers would be distracted by their December 26th Boxing Day celebrations? Frankly, the answers are – No.
Colonial America didn’t celebrate Christmas in a way we would recognize today. And in the Northern Colonies, Christmas was actually banned until the 1680s.
Despite America’s break with England, we still seem preoccupied with the happenings of the Brits and Christmas is no exception. The Christmas trees we enjoy these days have their foundation with Queen Victoria in the 1840s. Yes, there were earlier tree predecessors from continental Europe, but our widespread American traditions have an English accent. Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol was part of a revival of all things Christmas and when Queen Victoria brought a full tree inside, not just decorative branches or boughs, the American Christmas took off. The Queen decorated her full tree with candles, gingerbread men, and an angel on top.
We frown at the thought of Ebenezer Scrooge. How dare he not give his employee the day off! Truth be told, Christmas in America wasn’t even recognized as a holiday until 1870 when Congress created the Federal Holidays of: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Today, there are still some folks that say Bah-hum-bug to Christmas, because they skip over more recent history straight back to Roman and Norse times. But before we kick Christmas to the curb for being pagan like an 1670s Puritan, let’s take a look at some of the Queen’s the reasons behind her décor. The evergreen tree with it’s never-ending green stands for eternal life. The tree itself is a triangle representing the Trinity. John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” explains the lights on the tree. The gingerbread men remind us that Jesus came to us fully human. Lastly, the star or angel on top signifies spreading the Good News of our Savior to the World. None of those attributes spread by Queen Victoria’s popularity were pagan.
Do we need a holiday to have joy and spread love?
Of course not! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” But it doesn’t say Bah-hum-bug either! Yes, 1 John 2:15 states, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” But 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Our focus at Christmas should be giving Glory to God by remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus! Queen Victoria proved that you can enjoy the trimmings of Christmas in a thoughtful and reverent way. So, My Friends, rest easy and enjoy Christmas in all it’s wonderful splendor remembering first to give “Glory to God in the highest heaven.” Luke 2:14
