MONROE - Turner Hall of Monroe will turn back the hands of time Friday night with an informal, family-friendly Christmas tree-lighting and carol sing.
The tree-lighting program will begin at 7 p.m. and feature lighting a freshly-cut live evergreen tree using more than 100 real candles. Using candles to light Christmas trees was a custom that was common in many European and American households before the advent of electricity, commercialism and artificial trees.
A focal point of many families' Christmases, the decorated tree had its origins in Germany, probably around the 16th century. Martin Luther, the German theologian who lived from 1483-1546, is generally credited with originating the use of lit candles on the tree in an attempt to describe to his wife and children the beauty of the snow-covered forest under a glittering star-lit sky.
After the candles are lit, there will be an informal carol sing. Swiss Samichlaus and his partner, Schmutzli, will also visit the tree-lighting, checking that boys and girls of all ages have been good this past year. Hot cider and hot chocolate, along with Christmas treats from Colony Brands of Monroe, will be available. There is no admission charge for the event, but free-will donations will be accepted for Turner Hall .
The tree-lighting, as well as other programs during the year, is part of Turner Hall's on-going Swiss Heritage Series. Turner Hall of Monroe was established in 1868 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Swiss heritage and community center, listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. It is handicapped-accessible. More information is available at www.TurnerHallofMonroe.org.
The tree-lighting program will begin at 7 p.m. and feature lighting a freshly-cut live evergreen tree using more than 100 real candles. Using candles to light Christmas trees was a custom that was common in many European and American households before the advent of electricity, commercialism and artificial trees.
A focal point of many families' Christmases, the decorated tree had its origins in Germany, probably around the 16th century. Martin Luther, the German theologian who lived from 1483-1546, is generally credited with originating the use of lit candles on the tree in an attempt to describe to his wife and children the beauty of the snow-covered forest under a glittering star-lit sky.
After the candles are lit, there will be an informal carol sing. Swiss Samichlaus and his partner, Schmutzli, will also visit the tree-lighting, checking that boys and girls of all ages have been good this past year. Hot cider and hot chocolate, along with Christmas treats from Colony Brands of Monroe, will be available. There is no admission charge for the event, but free-will donations will be accepted for Turner Hall .
The tree-lighting, as well as other programs during the year, is part of Turner Hall's on-going Swiss Heritage Series. Turner Hall of Monroe was established in 1868 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Swiss heritage and community center, listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. It is handicapped-accessible. More information is available at www.TurnerHallofMonroe.org.