Star Wars: Surprising Message of Hope

All thoughts are with Berlin. I had intended to make a wreath like the ones I saw in the Christmas market in Leicester Square. The events of yesterday have dulled that enthusiasm. The oranges and limes are still sitting in the fruit bowl.

I bought the fruit bowl at the May Day market in London’s Little Venice. The photos of the house boats festooned with decorations remain largely unused. Using those pictures didn’t seem right after the murder of British MP Jo Cox by a right-wing extremist. She was murdered on my younger son's birthday.

19^th December 2016 was not a good day. It was my birthday. No real celebration at my age. My younger son and I simply went to see the new Star Wars film, Rogue One, at the cinema. The Rebel Alliance were fighting the Evil Empire again. Artificial Intelligence rated the probability of succeeding as basically nil. Yet, humans still clung on to hope and fought. It was a shock to hear of the Christmas market events in Berlin afterwards.

As we offer our condolences to the bereaved and injured today, we should still hold on to our values and religious tolerance. London’s answer to terrorism has always been to carry on with daily life and cherish what is important. We hold on to a HOPE that transcends any religion that good will ultimately triumph over evil.

Star Wars Rogue One poster above Christmas Market, Leicester Square

On London's German Christmas Trees and Markets

Christmas Trees outside London offices

Christmas trees were first introduced to Britain from Germany. Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert recreated the Christmas trees of his childhood at Windsor Castle. A drawing of the decorated tree featured in Illustrated London News in 1848.

There was no looking back. The Victorians copied the Royal Family and decorated trees in their homes too. The German custom became a British one.

Christmas Tree outside Houses of Parliament

While there is no doubt that the custom came to Britain from Germany, both Latvia and Estonia claim to be the origin of the first Christmas tree. Some sources suggest that the first Christmas tree appeared in both Riga and Tallinn in 1510. Accounts passed down through oral history means that we may never be able to determine the exact truth.

Northern Europe is undoubtedly the origin of the Christmas tree. It was Germany that spread its decoration customs throughout the world. 

Decorated Christmas Tree at Somerset House

Although Christmas trees are associated with the Christian festival today, their origins are in pagan celebrations of the Winter Solstice.

Christmas in Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is at London’s heart. It is central to British democracy and the right to freedom of expression. In 2015, it witnessed British solidarity with the French over the tragic events in Paris. 

Norway's 2015 Christmas Tree Gift in Trafalgar Square

Every year the people of Norway give a Christmas tree to the people of Britain in recognition of British support for their nation during the Second World War. It is therefore fitting that this annual gift is displayed in Trafalgar Square. This year’s tree appears in the photo above.

There are also numerous brightly-lit Christmas trees throughout the capital.

It is not just the German Christmas tree tradition that Britain has taken to heart. The number of German Christmas markets seem to increase throughout the capital and the rest of the United Kingdom with every passing year. 

German Christmas Market Banner on London's South Bank

Winter Wonderland is a fabulous annual Christmas market in Hyde Park. 

 

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland Christmas Market

This year, I visited the German Christmas market outside the Tate Modern on the South Bank. One stall there even had a Christmas tree on top.

Tree on top of German Christmas Market

Outside or inside, real or artificial, big or small… Christmas today is unthinkable without the custom brought to Britain by a German Prince. 

Frohe Weihnachten! Merry Christmas!

Where is the best decorated Christmas tree that you have seen this year?