The Road Least Traveled Day 8
Today our escort, Jean-Paul Krebs, took us on a voyage of discovery. We visited Selestat, Meisenthal, and Obernai. We learned about the Alsatian history of the Christmas tree, the Alsation origins of the decorations of the Christmas tree, and visited a Christmas market that displayed only French products.
For most of us, most of our memories of Christmas are made around the decorated Christmas tree. Christmas time is a special time for most of us and little is known of the history of the Christmas tree or its decorations, Our parents erected the tree and we all joined in decorating the tree. Christmas has always been and continues to be a magical time for our children. On this trip we were able to learn from the known written history of the Christmas trees in the Alsace, myth and legends, a good deal about the Christmas Tree. I would like to share that knowledge with you.
In the Humanist Library in Selestat, France is held the oldest known written document about the Christmas tree dating from 1521, The document explained that the city had to pay four schillings to the forest warden for looking after fir trees from St Thomas day until Christmas, to prevent being cut.
Over the years the fir trees became the symbol of Christmas festivities. It was decorated either simply or elaborately. These decorations have never stopped evolving through the years. One of the first decorations on the tree was the apple... a symbol to remind us of the original sin of Adam and Eve. In the 16th century colored paper and flowers were added to the apples. This tradition gave way to the addition of sweetbreads and other edibles to the tree. This created a new problem related to the tree. The trees were then suspended from the ceiling, in an attempt to discourage mice from eating the sweetbreads. In 1858, according to legend, after an apparent drought, a lot of the fruits and edibles were not available. An artisan, skilled in the art of glass blowing, filled this void. He used his skills to imitate fruits of nature and viola...the Christmas bauble was born.
We toured this factory in Meisenthal and witnessed a glass blowing demonstration of present day Christmas ornaments. We came away with a couple of apples.
We then traveled to Obernai to visit the Christmas market. The best yet. All locally produced. We had Christmas wine (gluvin), Christmas beer, froi gras, assorted cheeses, French pesto, and other samples. It was just like being at Costco on Saturday.
Our thanks to Jean-Paul. It was more than we could have asked for.
Obernai
For most of us, most of our memories of Christmas are made around the decorated Christmas tree. Christmas time is a special time for most of us and little is known of the history of the Christmas tree or its decorations, Our parents erected the tree and we all joined in decorating the tree. Christmas has always been and continues to be a magical time for our children. On this trip we were able to learn from the known written history of the Christmas trees in the Alsace, myth and legends, a good deal about the Christmas Tree. I would like to share that knowledge with you.
In the Humanist Library in Selestat, France is held the oldest known written document about the Christmas tree dating from 1521, The document explained that the city had to pay four schillings to the forest warden for looking after fir trees from St Thomas day until Christmas, to prevent being cut.
Over the years the fir trees became the symbol of Christmas festivities. It was decorated either simply or elaborately. These decorations have never stopped evolving through the years. One of the first decorations on the tree was the apple... a symbol to remind us of the original sin of Adam and Eve. In the 16th century colored paper and flowers were added to the apples. This tradition gave way to the addition of sweetbreads and other edibles to the tree. This created a new problem related to the tree. The trees were then suspended from the ceiling, in an attempt to discourage mice from eating the sweetbreads. In 1858, according to legend, after an apparent drought, a lot of the fruits and edibles were not available. An artisan, skilled in the art of glass blowing, filled this void. He used his skills to imitate fruits of nature and viola...the Christmas bauble was born.
We toured this factory in Meisenthal and witnessed a glass blowing demonstration of present day Christmas ornaments. We came away with a couple of apples.
We then traveled to Obernai to visit the Christmas market. The best yet. All locally produced. We had Christmas wine (gluvin), Christmas beer, froi gras, assorted cheeses, French pesto, and other samples. It was just like being at Costco on Saturday.
Our thanks to Jean-Paul. It was more than we could have asked for.
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| note: the Christmas tree is hanging from the ceiling |
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| Statement: 1521 first time tree mentioned |
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| making glass Christmas baubles |
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| Harry,Amanda,Linda, Jerry |
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| original book with tree reference from 1521 |
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| Christmas baubles |
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| we had a great lunch here |
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| Linda at the Christmas market |
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This stain glass, original to the Church, removed during WWII to prevent damage and restored afterwards.  |
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