Katherina,
Bless you for your research and your wonderful stories. As a Lutheran for
more generations than I can count, I understood that Martin Luther nailed the
95 thesis on the church door after becoming enraged by the clergy selling
forgiveness (indulgences) to increase the church revenues.
When I was in Bavaria in 1985 I was at the Castles and Schwangau and said a
painting of one of the knights leading Martin Luther up the path to the
castle where he was hidden from the church authorities. I recognized it
immediately and remarked to my husband look this is the castle where there
hid Martin Luther. He had been declared a hieratic for his opinions and
sentenced to death. The multiple kingdoms in Germany at the time must have
been his salvation because the Kings and Dukes had enough respect from the
Catholic Church that they were able to protect him and bargain for his life.
It would not surprise me to hear that he actually did start the tradition of
the Christmas tree as well. I remember my pastor explaining the Christmas
trees to us as Christmas approached and our Catechism class put the trees up
in the sanctuary, decorating them with only white lights and tinsel. The
evergreen for everlasting life and the white lights for his innocence.
God Bless You all as you decorate your trees and enjoy your Christmas
Stollen, and don't forget the fruit with almond candy or cookies, remember
the reason for the season. I would just like to find a store with glass
pickles, I think I'll check my local glass blower.
Dolly