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Cloud of Witnesses Radio
Are Christmas Trees Pagan | Saint Boniface Story Gives the Answer | True Stories | CWJS039 CWP086
Ever heard that the Christmas tree comes from paganism?
What do the dark forests of Germany on a frosty Christmas Eve and the transformative power of faith have in common with ancient pagan rituals? Imagine standing beside Saint Boniface as he confronts the fearsome Thunder Oak, challenging the very heart of pagan tradition with nothing but a cross—and learn how this pivotal moment gave birth to the first Christmas tree. Join us on Cloud of Witnesses Radio as we explore this gripping story of bravery and faith, shedding light on how Saint Boniface, known as the Apostle of the Germans, faced the shadows of idolatry with unwavering conviction.
Through rich storytelling and evocative soundscapes, the Cloud of Witnesses voice actors uncover the complex interplay between pagan practices and Christian beliefs, focusing on the profound theme of sacrifice. From the ritualistic meals of ancient tribes to the deep spiritual significance of communion, witness how historical figures like Saint Boniface and Saint Patrick reshaped the course of history with their steadfast devotion. This episode invites reflection on the enduring legacies of these saints, urging a deeper appreciation of their stories beyond mere celebration. Embrace the chance to connect with the essence of these remarkable figures whose lives continue to inspire across centuries.
Come for the audio drama, voice acted lives of the Saints, stick around for the cast commentary!
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Thank you for journeying w/ the Saints with us!
Here is the Thunder Oak and here the cross of Christ shall break the hammer of the false god Thor.
Speaker 2:Hello and welcome to Cloud of Witnesses. Journey with the Saints, a dynamic full cast retelling of the lives of the saints.
Speaker 3:We begin our story about the origin of the first Christmas tree from the life of Saint Boniface, the apostle of the Germans.
Speaker 4:Upon the night of one Christmas Eve, saint Boniface traversed Apostle of the Germans. Upon the night of one Christmas Eve, st Boniface traversed along an old Roman road through the cold woods, with a band of faithful companions tailing him from behind.
Speaker 5:Father Boniface, I'm freezing. Can't we stop for the night, Father?
Speaker 1:Come along, men Do not lose heart, father.
Speaker 2:In the year 718 AD, the holy and great Boniface was determined to bring the gospel to the lost souls of these lands.
Speaker 3:His fervent desire moved him to act swiftly, and so, from Hampshire, England, he set out for the holy and apostolic sea of Rome.
Speaker 4:Holy Father Pope Gregory, the lands of Germany are in dire need of enlightenment. I give you my blessing to travel and bring those people to the light of Christ. Thank you, your eminence. Beware, though, there is a reason why darkness still hovers heavily over those lands. Don't be surprised if you stumble across their evil practices.
Speaker 3:At the head of the band marched the holy and great Boniface, clad in a tunic of fur, with his long black robe girt high about his waist. His hunter's boots were crusted with snow.
Speaker 2:There was no other ornament to his dress except the bishop's cross hanging over his breast. He carried a strong, tall staff in his hand, fashioned at the top into the form of a cross.
Speaker 3:Close beside him, keeping step like a familiar comrade, was the young Prince Gregor.
Speaker 4:Long marches through the wilderness had stretched his limbs and broadened his back and made a man of him in stature as well as in spirit and made a man of him, in stature as well as in spirit.
Speaker 6:All the one of it. Surely this day's march is done. Is it time to eat and sleep?
Speaker 1:We can hardly see our steps in the depths of this snow. Nay, my son, gregor, take courage, cut across this tree that has fallen across the road. Our campground is not here. With your blessing, father, courage, brothers, and forward yet a little. The moon will light us presently and the path is plain. Huh, father, what was that? This is the Yuletide, and the heathen people of the forest have gathered at the Thunder Oak of Geismar to worship their god, thor. Strange things will be seen there, and deeds which make the soul black, but we are sent to lighten their darkness, and we will teach these lost souls to keep a Christmas with us such as the woodland has never known.
Speaker 5:Huh, what was that Father?
Speaker 7:Father, where is everyone? Is this a?
Speaker 1:ghost town in the middle of this eerie forest. Forward then, and let us stiffen up our feeble knees in God's name.
Speaker 3:Then, as the travelers moved on, they came across a swelling hill crowned with a huge oak tree.
Speaker 4:The Thunder.
Speaker 6:Oak of Geismar.
Speaker 7:What on God's blessed earth is that?
Speaker 5:It looks to be a tree of sorts.
Speaker 2:It towered above the land, a giant with contorted arms beckoning to the hosts of lesser trees.
Speaker 1:Here it is, my brothers, here is the thunder oak, and here the cross of Christ shall break the hammer of the false god Thor.
Speaker 3:An immense bonfire had been kindled in front of the tree.
Speaker 4:It stood like a pillar of cloud between the still light of heaven and the crackling, flashing fire of earth.
Speaker 3:A great throng of people were gathered around it, the dread oak tree of Geismar, an altar of sacrifice and blood.
Speaker 5:It is an assembly of the tribe. This is where they went, Father. We must at least hide the cross, lest we be killed.
Speaker 1:There is no cross. I shall ever hide, for this is why we have come. These blind folk must see its power. Father, we'll be killed. I have seen this all in a dream. Here, the cross must stand and be our refuge. Come, let us move onward.
Speaker 7:Father, father, you'll be exposed. Do not enter that pagan den of wolves.
Speaker 1:O you of little faith. Greetings ye sons of the forest. May I join you all around the warmth of your fire.
Speaker 3:Swiftly and as with a single motion. A thousand eyes gazed upon the saint who are you?
Speaker 4:The old priest of Thor Hunrad, with his long robe, flowing hair and beard, advanced slowly to meet the strangers.
Speaker 7:Whence do you come and what seek you here?
Speaker 1:I am your kinsman, I am of the German Brotherhood and from England, beyond the sea, I come to bring you a greeting from that land and a message from the true God, the creator of the universe, of whom I am a servant.
Speaker 7:Welcome then, kinsmen, but be silent, for what will soon happen is too great to be stopped. It must be done before the moon crosses the middle of the night sky. Unless, are you able to work any miracles or spells.
Speaker 1:Nay miracles have I never wrought, though I have heard of many. My God has given me no power to work great wonders.
Speaker 7:Stand still then, thou common man. This is the hour of darkness and the power of winter. This is the night of our great Thor, to whom this oak is sacred. Our god, Thor, has been angry with our people because we have forsook his worship long ago. Because of this, we have been stricken by sickness and war. Is this not true my people? Yes, it is true. Not true, my people True.
Speaker 3:True. After the fell chants of idolatrous, praise faded, the people approached the dread altar of Thor.
Speaker 4:Offering jewels, javelins, garments and the flesh of sheep and steed.
Speaker 2:But Hunrod, looking at these offerings with a look of dissatisfaction, declared None of these things will please our angered god.
Speaker 7:More precious is the crimson dew that shall send new life into this holy tree of blood. Thor claims your dearest and noblest gift.
Speaker 3:Hunrod moved nearer to the handful of children who stood around the bonfire.
Speaker 4:The priest's hand was laid upon the shoulder of the fairest boy from the group, Asulf, son of the duke, to designate him for the sacrifice.
Speaker 7:Here is the chosen one, the other, son of the prince, the darling of the people. Rejoice you, privileged child, bound by honor. For you go to Valhalla, where the heroes dwell with the gods, gods to bear a message to Thor.
Speaker 2:Mama, papa Is this it.
Speaker 8:Yes, dear child, go with courage. Our gods are waiting for you on the other side. When this displeasure against us is appeased by your sacrifice, son, you, my dear boy, will be placed among the brave and the bold. Pleasure against us is appeased by your sacrifice, son you, my dear boy, will be placed among the brave and the bold. And you, my son, you will dine and feast with the gods to your soul's content.
Speaker 2:Why did it have to be you?
Speaker 9:Though it is a great honor for us to send you to the God.
Speaker 3:Go, dear child my one and only asshole and greet our gods for us. Then the priest led the child to the altar.
Speaker 2:He bound the child's eyes with a white cloth and bade him kneel beside the stone. Unconsciously, the wide arc of spectators drew inward toward the center where the sacrifice was to be made.
Speaker 3:Saint Boniface moved silently until he stood close behind the priest.
Speaker 4:Hunrad stooped to lift a black hammer of stone from the ground.
Speaker 2:The sacred hammer of the god, thor. Summoning all the strength of his withered arms, he swung it high in the air.
Speaker 3:It poised for an instant above the child's fair head.
Speaker 4:Then, as the hammer fell to complete the sacrifice.
Speaker 2:Stop Saint Boniface's heavy staff thrust mightily against the hammer's handle as it fell.
Speaker 3:Sideways. It fell from the old man's grasp and the black hammer striking on the altar's edge split into two.
Speaker 4:A shout of awe, relief and joy rolled along the living circle.
Speaker 2:The branches of the oak shivered, the flames leaped higher.
Speaker 1:The gods of the heathens are devils and, by God's grace, I do not merely challenge them, I banish them from these lands in his name.
Speaker 3:As the shout died away, the people saw the Lady Thecla with her arms clasped round her child.
Speaker 2:Mama, the man wearing the cross saved me. Oh, my darling Asa, stay with me.
Speaker 4:And above them, on the altar stone, Saint Boniface, his face shining like the face of an angel.
Speaker 1:Hearken sons of the forest. No blood shall flow this night, for this is the birth night of Christ, the true Son of God, the Father, the Savior of mankind. And now, on this Christ night, you shall begin to truly live. This blood tree shall darken your land no more. In the name of the Lord, I will cut it down.
Speaker 3:Then the chief wonder in the life of Saint Boniface came to pass.
Speaker 4:The saint took the axe from the hand of Prince Gregor and, striding to the oak, began to cut against it.
Speaker 2:For as the bright blade circled above his head and the flakes of wood flew from the deepening gash in the body of the tree.
Speaker 3:A whirling wind, as though it came from heaven, passed over the forest.
Speaker 4:It gripped the oak from its foundations.
Speaker 2:Backward.
Speaker 3:The dreaded tree fell like a tower groaning as it split asunder in four pieces.
Speaker 7:We have never seen such a power, such true power. Thank you, boniface, for revealing this truth to me and to my people.
Speaker 4:But just behind it and unharmed by the ruin stood a young evergreen fir tree, pointing a green spire towards the stars.
Speaker 2:Saint Boniface let the axe drop and turned to speak to the people. Axe drop and turned to speak to the people.
Speaker 1:This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace, for your houses are built of the fir. It is the sign of an eternal life, for its leaves are evergreen. See how it points upward to heaven.
Speaker 8:Let this be called the tree of the Christ child. This is what we shall do.
Speaker 1:Gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes. There it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness. Yes, of course, kindle, those lights among the branches. Yes, more decorations Deck the halls Everywhere.
Speaker 2:Mama, it's so beautiful.
Speaker 6:Father Boniface, tell us of the Christ child.
Speaker 1:Well then, gather about and hear this story. A star came alight in the sky above the town of Bethlehem.
Speaker 2:Holy Father Boniface, pray to God for us.
Speaker 8:Hope you enjoyed that episode of St Boniface. We now have cast commentary on the episode you just heard.
Speaker 5:And also look forward to. This Sunday, december 22nd, we're going to be releasing a brand new episode about a miracle worked by St Nicholas, so look out for that.
Speaker 2:It's so interesting listening to this episode again is it actually reminds me of why we started these to begin with, Like we really wanted to bring the stories of the saints to life bring the stories of the saints to life and from out of that, from there, to come this story of life and new birth and the birth of the God of the world.
Speaker 8:It's really incredible that contrast, you know, yeah, I'd kind of forgotten.
Speaker 6:I forgot that I played a pagan priest. So, yeah, it was really entertaining and surprising and there was a lot of impact to a lot of the scenes, especially, you know, the climax of the episode. Everything really comes together and I shed a tear, you know, because it's so powerful, right, yeah, and so that really is the light coming into the darkness, because these are completely un-evangelized lands, and it gives me pause to think about the contrast, the situation that we have here. We live in a place where everybody thinks that they've heard of Christ. So maybe, like I've said a few other times, they've heard of Christ. So maybe, like I've said a few other times, it's harder to evangelize the mis-evangelized than it is to evangelize the un-evangelized. Plus the fact that these pagans were not materialists, they believed in the spiritual realm, they were worshiping fallen angels, right, but there was a spiritual reality that was being rewarded in that quid pro quo kind of, you know, slave-like relationship.
Speaker 5:One thing that stuck out to me this time is that there was a child that was needed right, and instead of the child of mortals, it's the Christ child that can actually fill that void of the fallen world.
Speaker 10:I mean it felt like a movie, you know, like the sound effects I feel like helped it out a lot, especially like just visualizing it in my head. I really enjoyed it and I like the, the climax part, like I could feel it just like you know, it's like on the edge of the of my seat kind of thing, just like you know and like it was. I enjoyed, I really liked it.
Speaker 11:I think that was really cool, awesome, thank you, western european pagans were not just child sacrifice and it was just willing adults as well for other ritualistic practices, like with the Vikings and everything like that too, and I think I was listening to Lord of Spirits yeah, great podcast and they were talking about sacrifice and what that was. That sacrifice was understood as a meal.
Speaker 8:Yeah, right Throughout the ancient world that sacrifice was understood as a meal.
Speaker 11:Yeah, right Throughout the ancient world, that sacrifice was a meal that you would share. So a lot of times when people are talking about human sacrifice, it is a meal that you are partaking in at the very lowest level drinking blood, wow. And that's so, lord of mercy.
Speaker 8:Yeah, lord of mercy, right, it shows the depths of it for sure. That is, that's a quick plug. Lord of Mercy, right, it shows the depths of it for sure. That is, that's a quick plug. That's a great podcast. Ancient Faith Radio, lord of Spirits podcast. Certainly, if you haven't heard that, go check them out, matt.
Speaker 2:Great thoughts, though, and it's true, right Again, kind of going back to what Josh was saying, that contrast between the darkness versus the light, Sacrifice in that sense, in the pagan sense, and if you think about it, in the Orthodox Church we still continue through communion, the sacrifice of Christ, you know, and that's like the wholesome completion of Christ being the final sacrifice to end all of the need for that sacrifice to kind of keep trying to do this recompense. And as pagans they almost had a little bit of the truth but it was twisted. It's amazing to read the stories of the saints.
Speaker 5:I mean there's so many we got another one coming to you soon, yeah that's right, we're gonna be recording it.
Speaker 2:Stay tuned but it's so. It actually really brings it to life in a wholesome way to do. These voice actings and the sound effects are really amazing. They really just put you in the middle of the story and I was getting goosebumps during this. Listen through, I'm like, oh, my gosh, yeah, like we have to do more of these because they're just so good.
Speaker 8:You just got to get the word out yeah, 100, 100 saint boniface yeah, john, who played saint boniface and wrote the script.
Speaker 9:Thoughts, john, I took it from a 19th century novel, a novelization of the life of St Boniface. I realized that I really need to brush up on myself, like I need to really get better.
Speaker 8:I did not expect you to be going there, John.
Speaker 5:I thought you were going to be saying how great it sounded, which is what.
Speaker 8:I thought but no gotcha.
Speaker 9:No, it brings out more of me, and you know it's not about me, but St Boniface is kind of like the St Patrick of Ireland. Well, the St Patrick of Germany. We really need to, I guess, bring more meaning to these names that people mention Like, oh yeah, it's St Patrick's Day. So what are you going to do for St Patrick's Day? I'm going to go out and drink, I'm going to go play pool with my friends, go swim Very superficial things. The name is hollowed out and there's no actual recognition of the person, but just the name of the day. So I think this is one of those opportunities where we can actually present these names that once belonged to persons who were really, really impactful on human history and Christianity. Yeah, amen, merry.
Speaker 10:Christmas.