Source: Jill LeGrand, used with permission.
Merriam-Webster defines “tradition” as “beliefs, customs, and customs that are passed down from generation to generation, often within a particular culture or society.” It can also refer to a long-established custom or set of beliefs followed or observed by a group. ”
Decoration has been around since the Middle Ages, when Germans began to associate the pagan custom of bringing branches and evergreens into their homes during the darkest time of the year with celebrating the Christian faith in the birth of Jesus, which is nearing its end. Christmas trees have signaled the Christmas season to the Western world. About December. As centuries have passed, this practice has grown in geographic scope, cultural adaptation, and elaboration. Some Jews adopted this tradition by naming the tree the “Hanukkah bush” and creating ornaments in blue, silver, and white to emphasize the miracle of light rather than birth. Were trees still essential to celebrations?
In 2018, Gilles Legrand, an American woman living in Paris with her French husband and teenage daughter, decided that holiday trees were unsustainable. If they are natural, cut from living evergreen trees, they pose a threat to necessary forest maintenance and their disposal poses environmental problems. If they are man-made, they can be at risk of contamination, especially if they are discarded instead of being recycled every year. This is what she thought. In light of this new truth that has emerged like a black swan, could we reimagine the Christmas tree in a way that extends our gratitude for miracles?
Her family’s tradition of building and decorating their annual tree, enjoying its brightness and meaning through the dark seasons, and sharing it with loved ones was precious to them. Over the years, they have loved hanging lights on the tree and collecting and hanging ornaments that are richly connected to specific experiences they have shared. Did she have to abandon the warmth, brilliance, and evolving identity that the tree tradition brought to everything as it integrated its own growth over time?
As each of them grew, their bond also expanded. It was special to have an adult with me, but this was different. As relationships with work in the outside world changed, so did roles within the family. Early schooling prepares you for adulthood, increases your authority in a career based on your personal passions, allows you to live in the same household, long-distance relationships, geographical relocation, job transfers, vacations, or irregular assignments. It has been replaced by a special reunion. they get together again. Does it take a miracle to resolve a tree conflict?
Jill took her decision seriously, considering the environmental impact and the human energy involved in acquiring, constructing, decorating, and disposing of the wood. She reflected on what she likes about the process, what concerns her about her role as a citizen of the larger human community, and how important it is for her family to have a tree. . She pondered its meaning and decided to update the tradition. Then she went to work.
She started by identifying a passion the three of them shared: the written word, and building on that. There were books everywhere in their apartment. Each room had shelves, cabinets, filled with books that provided information, inspiration, fun, knowledge, perspective, support in an endeavor, or beauty. Perfect words and images!
She went from room to room and borrowed books from the rest area. Then, in December 2018, she created her first replacement Christmas tree. By the following year, she had figured out what she was doing and, through physics and architectural principles, had learned how to bring better pleasure to people who look at trees, how to make it easier to return books to their original locations, and especially how to I started thinking about ways to celebrate. Awareness of new family rituals. Ritual must remain relevant. By her third year, the joy of creation encouraged her to continue her labor-intensive activities.
In the pre-COVID era, when we were stranded on the other side of the ocean and our priorities shifted to focus on our own survival, I lost sight of Jill and her trees. When Jill sent me a photo of their tree this year, I was struck by the expanded meaning it represented for her, her husband, and daughter.
She now knows how to track the original location of each book to facilitate its return, and expresses a special love for each book by respecting the individual’s needs and preferences regarding the books she loves. . She embraced her husband’s increased sharing, discussing memorable books and recommending others that had not yet been shared. She welcomed her daughter’s broader contribution to family values.
Personal perspective Essentials
As an adult, she reflected people’s appreciation for different cultures and symbolized her commitment by adding an ornament of a dancer from Tbilisi to the 2024 tree. After spending several months at an internship in Georgia, she took this book home with her to practice mastering the Russian language, emphasize her family’s respect for communication across borders, and respect the dignity of all people. It was something. The ancient tradition of the evergreen was replaced by one constructed from words, providing memories of moments of growth, shared joy, and sustaining love through creation and speech.
As for me, I’m still upset about David’s physical absence in our lives. Nevertheless, when I told his spirit that I was going to write about Jill’s 2024 tree, he jumped. As I wrote in my diary, he provided the title for this essay, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it adds some extra sparkle to our bookshelves and menorahs as the season progresses.
He loved her tree, which was made from books, paying homage to the past, present, and future, with all the meaning it conveys. What better way to honor the miracle of love and creation?
Copyright 2024. Loni Beth Tower.