9 replies to this topic

[Shakeepuddn]

A saint defies the pagan staff
Hewn of hate and righteous wrath
Where sprang thereof eternal seed?
A miracle born of myth indeed.

Or pious bigot against the true
And justified in faith he knew
How best to relate the heavens seen
Those lordly lights above that gleam?

In truth the stock that props in play
The plight of two in bygone day;
A straightened bow in décor of feast
In deference to the play of beast.

[Jonn]

Spoiler for

Cupid and Psyche?

[Shakeepuddn]

Spoiler for

Cupid and Psyche?

Nah.

Here's a re-write. It's been awhile since I've been here and was a bit hasty without editing.

Defiant of the pagan staff
Hewn of righteous, saintly wrath
Where sprang thereof eternal seed?
Miracle born of myth indeed.

Or pious priest against the true
And justified in faith he knew
How best relate the heavens seen
Those lordly lights above that gleam?

In truth the stock that props in play
The plight of those in bygone day;
A straightened bow, décor of feast
In deference to the play of beast.

[plainglazed]

Spoiler for first guess

Copernicus?

Spoiler for oh, or maybe...

Stonehenge?

[Semper Rideo]

Spoiler for

Christmas tree?

[Jonn]

Spoiler for

Would the "play of beast" be Beauty and the Beast?

Am I off base?

[ogden_tbsa]

Spoiler for

Astronomy?

[Juskiknback]

Spoiler for

Cain and Abel

Hmm...

[Shakeepuddn]

Spoiler for Answer and Explication

Christmas (paradise) tree
One of two prominent myths surrounding the advent of the Christmas tree involves Saint Boniface in the eighth century who, in confronting local pagans, chopped down the Oak of Thor they worshipped in Geismar, Germany. From the stump (or roots according to some legends) sprang an evergreen, a miracle declared by Boniface to represent the eternal light of Christ.

Another tale attributes the first Christmas tree being created by Martin Luther (infamous for his anti-Semitic tracts), who was so awestruck one night by the beauty of the starry sky as seen through the boughs of evergreens, he decided to recreate the image in his home for his family by placing candles among the branches of a hewn evergreen.

What is generally accepted is that the first Christmas trees date to the Middle Ages where they were employed as decorative stage props for “Mystery Plays,” in particular the Paradise Play to commemorate the Feast Day of Adam and Eve on December 24th. By the 18th century, household Christmas trees were common all across Europe and eventually brought to America by German immigrants.

Semper takes it. Well done. (Next time a bit more difficult, eh?)

[Shakeepuddn]

Just giving credit where credit is due.