"Finding a bird's nest tucked among the branches
of the Christmas tree is one of the luckiest traditions of Christmas,
for it predicts good fortune through the coming year."
-- Linda E. Allen, "Nestled in the Christmas Tree"
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| The bird nest in my Christmas tree 12-22-15 |
"Oh, Grossmutter, see! St. Nicholas hung
a little bird's nest for me on the Christmas tree!"
"So he did, so he did, Gretel," said the old woodcutter
as he took the nest down and put it in Gretel's hands.
-- Carolyn Sherwin Bailey,
"The Child Abroad," Stories and Rhymes For A Child
"I have last year's nest on my windowsill ...
and will put this year's next to it as a reminder
of what it is to receive life's little gifts, especially at Christmas time.
I like to believe that nature showers love on the people wanting to receive it."
--Laura Munson,
"A Nest In The Hand," huffingtonpost.com
At our house, the Christmas tree is a guy thing.
The hunt it.
They kill it.
The decorate it.
It's their territory. Their tradition.
I don't touch it.
It's been that way since the boys were little, but big enough to hang ornaments. I just step aside and let them do it the way they want to.
I think my hands-off approach stems from my own bad childhood Christmas tree memories.
My parents had some pretty bitter arguments over the tree. I remember the whole process felt very stressful and made me extremely anxious.
My sisters and I would go along with Dad to the tree lot or wherever, take time picking out what we thought was a really great tree, and then bring it home for Mom's approval. Then we'd listen to a stream of criticism over his poor choice. It was too tall. Too short. The stem wasn't straight. There was a bare spot. Blah, blah, blah.
She'd bite.
He'd bite back.
I'd cower somewhere safe from the flying accusations and insults.
Needless to say, their arguing kind of sucked the magic out of it for me.
And I think that's why now, as a grownup with kids and a husband of my own, I do nothing but praise the efforts of my Christmas tree hunting/gathering/decorating team. They do a good job. I just sit back and enjoy it.
Because the guys always cut a real tree from out in the wild, every once in a while they bring home one with a bird nest hidden inside.
There's some Icelandic or German tradition that says finding a bird nest in your Christmas tree is a symbol of good health and fortune for the coming year.
They found one in this year's tree while they were trimming back the branches and stringing on the lights. It's a tiny little nest -- delicate and wispy -- no bigger than a small child's fist.
I don't know if the bird nest in Christmas tree legend is true or not, but I like to think it is.
A little good luck is always a good thing.
Plus, how in the world can you argue over a Christmas tree that comes with a gift already inside?
