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Martin Luther with his Family and their Christmas Tree
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Martin Luther with his Family and their Christmas Tree
The Christmas Tree in History and Legend: Martin Luthers Tree. It is thought (in some quarters) that Martin Luther (and the early Lutherans) were the originators of the Christmas Tree custom. The story goes that Luther was moved by the firmament of the shining stars and wanted to create this in his own home, adorning a fir tree with twinkling candles. He stands with his wife and four children (and their pet dogs) admiring his creation. Date: circa 1533
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Media ID 14124506
© Williams College Oxford Programme / Mary Evans Picture Library
Baynes Candles Crib Custom Decorations Luther Lutheran Martin Pauline Seasonal Sixteenth Lutherans Twinkling
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This image depicts Martin Luther, the seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation, and his cherished family, gathered around their home's very first Christmas Tree in circa 1533. Surrounded by the warm ambiance of their wooden-paneled house, Luther stands proudly with his wife, Katharina von Bora, and their four young children, including their beloved pet dogs. The family's faces are filled with wonder and delight as they admire the twinkling candles adorning the fir tree, a custom believed to have been initiated by Luther himself. The Christmas Tree, with its origins steeped in history and legend, has long been a cherished symbol of the holiday season. The story goes that Luther, inspired by the beauty of the night sky and its twinkling stars, sought to bring this enchantment into his own home. He decorated the tree with candles, replicating the celestial bodies that so captivated him. This heartwarming scene encapsulates the essence of family, faith, and the joy of the Christmas season during the 16th century. With the addition of Pauline Baynes' intricate border decorations, this print transports us back in time, inviting us to share in the simple pleasures and traditions of a Lutheran household during the early days of the Reformation. The Christmas Tree, a cherished custom that continues to unite families and communities to this very day, can trace its roots back to this humble scene, making it an invaluable piece of both Lutheran and holiday history.
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