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The beloved Christmas tree has a centuries-old Catholic origin story
With Christmas just behind us, it is worthwhile to remember St. Boniface (680–754), known in Church history as the apostle to the Germans. Boniface is regarded as “probably the greatest missionary since St. Paul” for his extensive travels and successful evangelization efforts in modern-day Germany [1]. Although he is well known as a great bishop and evangelizer, Catholic legend, based on actual historical events, also holds that Boniface is the founder of the use of a Christmas tree to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
The story of the Christmas tree begins in England, where the very young Winfrid decided to enter a Benedictine monastery over the objections of his parents. Winfrid grew in holiness and piety but yearned to leave the monastery and bring the light of Christ to the pagan Germans just as the monks had brought the Faith to England a century earlier. Winfrid heard reports that Pope Gregory II (r. 715-731) had sent missionaries to Bavaria in 716 and decided to travel to Rome to become a missionary to the Germans. Gregory was delighted at the arrival of the eager Winfrid and after a period of time commissioned him to preach the gospel in the regions of Thuringia, Bavaria, Franconia, and Hesse. In recognition of his special missionary commission, the pope also changed Winfrid’s name to Boniface.
Continued below.
Boniface and the Christmas Tree
Some say the Christmas tree comes from Martin Luther. But the historical truth is that it is more ancient than that, and thoroughly Catholic.
