The First Christmas Tree and The Keeper Of The Light

"The First Christmas Tree" by Henry Van Dyky is a short story that tells the legend of the first Christmas tree. Henry Van Dyke was an American author, educator, and clergyman, known for his writings on religion and his inspirational stories. In "The First Christmas Tree," Van Dyke presents a fictional story set in the 8th century. The narrative revolves around a monk named Winfried, later known as Saint Boniface, who is on a mission to convert the Germanic tribes to Christianity. During his travels, he comes across a sacred oak tree, worshipped by the local people as a symbol of their pagan beliefs. To demonstrate the power of Christianity and to emphasize the message of love and peace associated with Christmas, Winfried decides to cut down the sacred oak tree. As the tree falls, a young fir tree springs up from its roots. Winfried then uses the fir tree to symbolize the Christian faith, explaining how its evergreen nature represents the everlasting life found in Christ. The story is a creative blend of Christian symbolism and a charming holiday legend. It aims to convey a message of the transformative power of Christianity and the triumph of love and hope over darkness and superstition. Keep in mind that interpretations may vary, and this summary provides a general overview of the narrative.