How did the Christmas tree come to play such an important part in the
observance of Christmas.

There is a legend that comes down to us from the early days of Christianity
in England. One of those helping to spread Christianity among the Druids
was a monk named Wilfred (later Saint Wilfred). One day, surrounded by a
group of his converts, he struck down a huge oak tree, which was an object
of worship in the Druid religion. As the oak tree fell to the earth, it
split into four pieces, and from its center there grew a young fir tree,
pointing a green spire toward the sky. The crowd gazed in amazement.

Wilfred let his axe drop and turned to speak. "This little tree shall be your
Holy Tree tonight. It is the wood of peace, for your houses are built of
the fir. It is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are evergreen.
See how it points toward the heavens. Let this be called the tree of the
Christ Child. Gather about it, not in the wilderness, but in your homes.
There it will be surrounded with loving gifts and rites of kindness." And
to this day, that is why the fir tree is one of our loveliest symbols of
Christmas.

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