A Disorderly Tree: Characterized by Disorder; Irregular; Untidy; Confused.

A little lamb rests below our tree and represents what is to come for the baby Jesus.

A doll bassinet is set up as a manger for the baby Jesus.

Our elves are so forgetful...they leave a pair of shoes or a hat every year! 

These vintage inspired ornaments are some of my favorites!

Each year, I buy an ornament for each of my children.  We pick one that is relevant to something from the year.  I plan to give them their own box of collected ornaments when they are grown.

I make these keepsake ornaments by copying photos onto transparency sheets.  I then cut the photo out with a circle cutter and roll to fit into the glass ball.  I sprinkle some fine glitter in the ball and write the year on the outside.  These are all over my tree and tell a story through the years!

We make several of these snowflakes each year and save the growing collection.

Cones were made to hold candy canes and nuts, in keeping with our study of the Christmas tree.

An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

I made the 'Emmanuel' banner out of drop cloth and twine.

These vintage looking beads are one of many garlands on the tree.

My daughter made this gnome in art class and was so excited to give it to me for Christmas!  Isn't it the quirkiest thing?  I am very fond of it, probably because it was made by loving little fingers!  I think I look like this after being at the mall yesterday!

A felt hat hangs on the tree.  It was left by one of the elves last year.

We made this felt hat for our re-enactment of the Nativity.  The tree seems to be the 'catch all' for everything!

Why do we put up a tree for Christmas?  My children ask these questions and I don't have answers.  I have been on a quest the last couple of years to understand the events and symbols surrounding Christmas (and other holidays!)  Why do we do what we do?  If you are interested, read on!

Although the Christmas tree is generally associated with Christ, it predates Him by many centuries.  Many ancient groups (pagans, Hebrews, Chinese) celebrated the Winter Solstice (December 21st), the day of the year when the Sun begins its ascent in the sky, ushering in a fertile time of planting and bountiful harvests.  The evergreen tree represented eternal life and the promise of replenishment during the winter months.  Apples and fruit were hung on the tree to represent the plentiful food to come.  Candles were lit to symbolize the warmth and brightness of the sun.

Later, the Germans hung wafers on the tree along with the apples to represent the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  The apples were replaced by red glass balls in the Victorian Era.  The custom of having a Christmas tree in the home can be historically traced to 16th century Northern Germany.  The first documented use of an evergreen tree for Christmas was in the year 1510.  A small tree was decorated with apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers.  The children would collect these little treats on Christmas day.

The Christmas tree made its appearance in America in 1850 through a book in which the British Royal family was shown (edited) around a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle.  By the 1870's, a Christmas tree was common in America.  Several cities in America with German connections claimed to be the first to display a Christmas tree.

Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve and were not removed until after the twelfth day of Christmas (January 6.)  It was considered bad luck to have a tree up any sooner! 

Controversy and different interpretations have surfaced referring to a Christmas tree in the Bible. 

"Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
   and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD’s renown,
   for an everlasting sign,
   that will endure forever."  ~ Isaiah 55:13 

One interpretation says this means the Messiah will live forever just like the evergreen tree that never dies and doesn't lose its leaves when autumn comes.  It refers to the evergreen tree as a joyful sign to the Lord in celebration of life everlasting that shall not be cut off. 

This disorderly tree offers many ways to teach my children about Jesus and a little bit of history.  I love the smell of the evergreen and I love all the ornaments that flood me with fond memories...ornaments from my childhood, ornaments from my children and some we have bought or made!  Staring at our Christmas tree is like glaring down memory lane!

Merry Christmas!

I am linking to these weekly sites and Christmas parties and

to the Holiday Home Tour at