12/10/22 Weekend Grif.Net - What's on Your Tree Top?
b...@grif.net
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.]
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Dr Bob Griffin
"Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!"