AWCH The Legend of St. Barbara

One holy day you will not find on your calendar is the feast day of St. Barbara on December 4. St. Barbara lived at the end of the third century in Greece. Her father was a famous trader with noble blood, but without any faith. One day her father had to set off on a journey, and out of fear that something could happen to his daughter in his absence, he had her locked up with a servant in a tower for safe keeping. This servant was a Christian and taught Barbara all about her faith, to which Barbara herself converted. When Barbara’s father returned and found her a Christian, he tried his best to convince her to return to her heathen ways. Barbara refused. Her father’s love for her turned to hate, and he had her locked up in prison. When the soldiers came to take her away, her cloak got caught on the branch of a cherry tree. A bit broke off, and Barbara took it and placed it in a bucket of water in her prison cell. On the day her death sentence was announced, the branch began to blossom.

This legend has led to the custom of cutting a cherry branch on December 4 to bear blossoms for you around Christmas time. Here is how you do it: cut the branch diagonally and remove the bark around the cut area. Soak the branch in lukewarm water overnight. Then place it in a vase of water, which should be changed every three days or so. You can also try this with apple trees, forsythia branches or wild plum trees. With any luck and proper care, you can have a blossoming cherry tree arrangement for your Christmas table.

Um den Kirschbaum weht der Wind,
Schneee stiebt von den Zweigen,
aber warte nur, mein Kind, Wunder will sich zeigen.
Im Verborgnen steigt der Saft in den stillen Tagen,
jedes Zweiglein spürt die Kraft und will Blüten tragen.

Around the cherry tree the wind blows,
snow scatters from the branches,
but just wait, my child,
a miracle will happen.
Hidden away, the sap rises
during the quiet days,
every branch feels the energy
and will blossom.

- Marianne Garff

Try celebrating the feast day of St. Barbara with your children as a welcome addition for the typical preparations for Christmas during the Advent season. They might enjoy the challenge and inspiration of getting a cherry branch to bloom in December.