Now I discover that in the 14th century the idea of a Paradise Tree developed in which Adam and Eve’s Day was celebrated annually on December 24th. The popular, largely illiterate, populace responded well to “miracle plays” in church. In the play red apples were attached to a green pine as the Tree of Good and Evil in the center of the garden.

This play became popular in Germany and beyond and some say is the real beginning of the Christmas Tree tradition, so red and green as symbolic colors of Christmas may have begun in Church after all.

The Church Council moved the Sunday, December 25 service to 3:30pm in an effort to increase attendance from the 22 who came on December 26, 2010. The attendance did increase: 29. Some appreciated the change that enabled families to keep home rituals in the morning. Others found the change conflicted with customary Christmas Day afternoon dinner or a trip to the house of a relative.

Did you know that one large church in the area cancelled December 25 all services. Amazing. In my opinion a serious mistake. That church would have been celebrating Christmas for a month, with no attention to the season preparation we know as Advent.

Anyway, here’s hoping the church provided for you and yours inspiration and information in Advent/Christmas and that together we may nurture and challenge each other in the faith in 2012.

Shalom,