Christian missionaries transferred the focus to firs, whose triangular shape they linked to the Holy Trinity, and people merged the idea of this tree with the tree seen in the Garden of Eden in the medieval "paradise plays"- depicting the story of man from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus- which had baubel like fruit hanging off it. The Christmas tree points upwards to heaven reminding us of the Christ Child who pointed us to God.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Why do we have CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS and CHRISTMAS TREES?

To appease the tree spirits, people in the Dark Ages attached painted stones and coloured cloth to oak branches in midwinter. The belief that bad luck will follow if you leave Christmas decorations up past Twelfth Night also has its origins here: if the spirits were not released once midwinter had passed, the forests and fields might not awaken again.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Who first pulled a CHRISTMAS CRACKER?

Crackers were invented by Thomas Smith in 1846 as a way of attractively wrapping French novelties he was trying to get people to buy as Christmas gifts! For the full story see www.absolutelycrackers.com/hist_evolved.html

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

It took some time for Henry Cole's Christmas card idea to take root with the wider public. In fact, until 1878, more Valentine’s cards were sent in the post each year than Christmas cards. However, just three years later in 1881, the Post Office issued its first public instruction to 'Post early for Christmas', to help manage the volume of festive mail. The growth of the postal service, and introduction of a flat rate for sending cards allowed this custom to spread, especially when steam trains speeded up the delivery of mail.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Who sent the first CHRISTMAS CARD?

Greeting cards were not new. Since Aloys Senefelder perfected lithography in 1796, merchants would send their customers best wishes for the new year. But in 1843 Henry Cole commissioned an artist friend to design the first Christmas card as a way of making his Christmas correspondance easier. It took some time for Henry Cole's Christmas card idea to take root with the wider public.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Why do we eat CHRISTMAS CAKE?

These rich fruit cakes were a sensible celebratory food as they didn't spoil quickly, and could therefore be made in advance to have in ready for guests whenever they arrived, or could be taken on a journey to give as a gift, in days when travelling was a slow process. The fruitcake as we know it today evolved from plum cake recipes in England.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

A red ribbon is then tied around the centre of the orange as a reminder that Christ died for us all. Finally, a small lighted candle is placed on top to symbolise Jesus Christ, Light of the World.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.