My 8 year old daughter asked me "why do we put and Angel on the Christmas Tree?". I've done numerous searches on the internet and can't find a GOOD answer for her. Does anyone know the "REAL" reason...for real...no stupid answers please. This is for a child!! Thanks in advance.
2006-12-02 04:32:06 · 3 answers · asked by lissakitten22 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
Angel....not Angle...woops!! Good thing to teach my 8 year old...I better learn to spell first huh?
2006-12-02 04:39:31 · update #1
tailor this to you're daughter i'll just give you the facts as best as we know them:
the Christmas tree or Tannenbaum from the Germanic is a pre-christian ritual adopted by christianity much the same as mistletoe or the date itself fro christmas. Being an evergreen tree the tannenbaum offers a promise for the coming of spring, christianized later for the symbol of "eternal life" whilst all the other trees were barren.
Decorations were hung by early tribes as sacrifices to the gods, these trees were not cut down but instead leaders of a tribe would sacrifice males or slaves and hang their bodies or entrails from the tree as a dedication to their gods (don't tell your daughter that one!)
The top ornament or Tree Topper can be seen as to follow the traditional idea of the decorations as being sacrifices to the gods, the highest decoration was the best and placed above the reach of theives, it was for the gods alone and easier for them to reach. After the trees were christianized the top decoration could be seen as marking the tree for Christ and cleansing it of it's pagan roots. It's also considered dedicating the tree, and typically any ritual symbol is adorned at it's pinnacle to give it power.
2006-12-02 04:40:52 · answer #1 · answered by jleslie4585 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it an angel, or a fairy? Sometimes it is a star, of course. that one is easy. I suppose it is all to do with the angels of the lord coming down, just like in the hymn.
I did wonder about the Angle in your headline though.
2006-12-02 04:36:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it really is a good looking,captivating,astounding piece of literature. i'm searching ahead to the festive mood and may want to correctly be shifting. in the course of the drawing close vacation journeys my pal is coming from Hawaii. perchance we are going to drink then i will take his provide up. Then pray,too...bye
2016-11-30 01:25:43 · answer #3 · answered by barby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋