How we got a Christmas tree, or who is Saint Boniface

Have you ever wondered where the tradition of the Christmas tree comes from?  It’s an interesting bit of church history that seems rather appropriate at Christmas time.  This Saint Boniface lesson was one of our homeschool history lessons last year (2014, from when I originally wrote this).

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Supplies used for our Saint Boniface lesson

The Mystery of History volume 2, Europe wall map (make your own), Lego figures (my kids grabbed Ninjago figures…), and Lego Christmas tree

Where did Saint Boniface come from?

There’s some discussion, but generally, it’s agreed Boniface came from England originally.  Here played by the red ninja.

But wait no, we don’t want a ninja to play Saint Boniface, so how about we switch him out for a robber, because you know that’s better.  Or that’s what my kids claimed as they laughed their heads off.  Like so many of the famous saints, Boniface joined monastic orders against the wishes of his father and excelled there.  He received years of training, and when the old bishop of Exeter died, Boniface was offered the job, but he declined and headed off to Germany Frisa.

Saint Boniface gets started teaching

There he trains with Ulrecht, “the Apostle of the Frisians,” they work together for a year, but their work is interrupted by the war Charles Martel is having with the king of the Frisians.  Boniface returns home but still feels called to help the Germans Frisians.

So, Boniface sets out again this time to Rome, where he is appointed by Pope Gregory 2 to be the missionary bishop to Germania.

Saint Boniface arrives in Germania and meets the people and they are worshipping the Donar Oak (Latinized as Jupiter’s Oak, though it’s up for a toss whether they were influenced by the Vikings to the North or the Romans to the South).  Well everyone says to Boniface, “Look this is the power of our god.  See the mighty oak tree and how it stands against everything?”

Boniface walks up and starts to chop down the oak tree and a mighty wind blows in and knocks down the Donar Oak.  Everyone is staring in shock and surprise he hasn’t been struck by lightning.  “Wait,” they think, “Maybe our god isn’t all-powerful.”

Then Boniface points to the pine tree and says, “This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight.  It is the wood of peace… It is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are evergreen.  See how it points upward to heaven.  Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wildwood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness.”**

Looking for more Lego History Ideas?  Check out my Lego history section

** rough translation of what he said

Some more LEGO history lessons

• Lego History of Hanukah
• Paul’s Second Missionary Journey as told by LEGO
• Leif Ericson discovered America?
• Discovering Pompeii history lesson
• Fountain of Youth history lesson

Originally published Dec 16, 2015 (you know for when I’m looking for pictures to use somewhere)