Courtesy of The Burwood BulletinThe first person to decorate a Christmas tree was reportedly the Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483 - 1546). According to legend, he was so moved by the beauty of the stars shining between the branches of a tree, he brought home an evergreen tree and decorated it with candles to share the image with his children.
Christmas stockin
gs allegedly evolved from three sisters who were too poor to afford a marriage dowry and were, therefore, doomed to a life of prostitution. They were saved, however, when the wealthy Bishop Saint Nicholas (precursor to Santa Clause) crept down the chimney and generously filled their stockings with gold coins.
gs allegedly evolved from three sisters who were too poor to afford a marriage dowry and were, therefore, doomed to a life of prostitution. They were saved, however, when the wealthy Bishop Saint Nicholas (precursor to Santa Clause) crept down the chimney and generously filled their stockings with gold coins.
Because of their pagan associations, both the holly (the masculine principle) and the ivy (the feminine) and other green boughs in home decoration were banned by the sixth-century Christian Council of Braga.
In A.D. 350, Pope Julius 1, bishop of Rome, Proclaimed December 25 the official celebration date for the birthday of Christ.
Commissioned by Sir Henry Cole (1808 - !883), British illustrator John Callcot Horsley (1817 - 1903) designed the first Christmas card in 1843.