CHRISTMAS TREES

There are eight trees alongside the eight columns in the Nave.  Each year, the trees are decorated by community groups on the Saturday before Advent.  Advent is the start of the Christmas season. In the Christian story, it’s the four weeks from the first Sunday, leading up to Christmas day. Advent means ‘something’s coming!’ – something wonderful.

Last year, the trees were decorated by eight Wellington mission services. This year the trees are decorated by eight businesses that offer funeral direction.

What is it about decorated trees at Christmas? There are many stories about the use of evergeen trees to decorate, which were thought to have special spiritual powers.  People decorated their homes with greenery, but the Christmas tree story originated in Germany, where Martin Luther is said to have put lighted candles on the tree at Christmas time to symbolise light chasing away the darkness of evil.  Now we use shiny things and bright sparkly lights.