The Great Tree of Christmas
The First Story of the Christmas Cycle
First offered in 1982, The Great Tree of Christmas focuses upon the way the evergreen Tree of Life came into our hearts and homes through the journey of St. Boniface and the Germanic tribes.
Taking place around 700 CE, this is a ‘key hole story’ – a story in which one can see through to the ancestral layers that have gone before, and realize the great beauty we all stand upon during the darkest night of the year.
The Great Tree of Christmas was offered live in churches and performance spaces six times during the ongoing revolutions of The Christmas Cycle beginning in 1982. The seventh telling occurred during the Covid period, and the story was filmed and presented online in 2020.
Oriented toward adults and children over 12, The Great Tree of Christmas video includes a pre-talk that examines the ideas presented in the story and The Christmas Cycle as a whole. The video then transitions into the ceremonial sacred space of the story.
Some viewers have found The Great Tree of Christmas has deepened the Christmas experience of their own lives.
Total length is approximately 1 ½ hours. There is no intermission.
Testimonials
“From the beautiful way you showed the lighting of the candles, throughout the story, so powerfully told, all the way to the end when you express gratitude, the whole thing was exquisite, captivating and deeply moving. How clearly your love for all of it shines through. What a gift!”
Q.S., Pennsylvania
“What a beautiful story! It touched me deeply. I feel blessed and honored to be a listener. It felt like I was really sitting around the Christmas tree with you. Thank you for sharing this ancient wisdom and insights. I wasn't really aware of the symbolic meaning of the Christmas tree and the whole period of this year, although my ancestors were Germanic. What an eye-opener. You are a whole hearted story teller, such a joy!”
G.H., Belgium
“I'm touched by the delicate preciseness, intentionality and attentive care I saw in every gesture, tone of voice, tone of color and all background objects of the event. It is as if the world is rooted like an ancient tree into the deep center of the earth, held and nourished by it; as if the world isn't hectic, disturbed and perplexed.”
M.S., Israel
“What an absolute gift this story is to the world. I can't yet put to words how transformative this was for my understanding and view of Christmas. You have truly gifted me with substance and symbolism I have long yearned for without knowing what was missing. This completely exceeded any expectations I may have held.”
A.B., Florida
“I have heard you perform so many stories in the Christmas Cycle over the years, however this performance had me mesmerized… The grace you have in telling the story, the word images created were exquisite. You are a gift, a treasure in so many ways and when this beautiful event was over, I wanted to savor it in a silent, contemplative way.”
V.V., Vermont
“Your performance was absolutely beautiful. I loved it all. The background information was interesting and very helpful to appreciate and understand the story. Everything was relevant to the times we’re experiencing now. Thank you for reminding me of the hope, the grounding of tradition, and magic of the Christmas season. You are amazing! Merry Christmas!”
L.D., Vermont
Gallery
Images from the Film
The Great Tree of Christmas.
Please click a photo to enlarge.
Press
Williston Observer, 12/10/2020
The Christmas Cycle: The Great Tree of Christmas
Please click the image to view the full article.