News : 'O Christmas Tree:' Storm affects VGH Tree of Lights tradition

The big evergreen tree used for Tree of Lights was lost in storm; a newer tree will take its place.

“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

How sturdy God hath made thee!
Thou bidds't us all place faithfully
Our trust in God, unchangingly!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How sturdy God hath made thee!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
Each bough doth hold its tiny light,
That makes each toy to sparkle bright.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!”

According to Wikipedia, “O Tannenbaum” or, in it’s English version, “O Christmas Tree” is a Christmas carol of German origin. A Tannenbaum is a fir tree. It’s evergreen qualities have long inspired musicians to write several Tannenbaum songs in German.

The best known version was written in 1824 by a Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschutz. The melody is an old folk tune.

Just like this traditional Christmas carol, a long held Virginia Gay Hospital tradition is the Tree of Lights. The Tree of Lights was recognizable by the lighting of the 75 foot pine tree in front of the hospital during the holiday season.

“How sturdy God hath made thee! Thou bids’t us all place faithfully, Our trust in God, unchangingly.” How sturdy that tree stood as a witness for everyone entering Virginia Gay Hospital & Clinics.

Planted in 1960 by Joe Wood, Sr. the old pine tree took its place in front of the hospital for over 50 years. That is until this past Monday when like many trees in this area, it was destroyed by the storm and straight line winds. Today, the tree had to be removed from the Virginia Gay Hospital campus because of safety concerns for our patients, visitors and staff. “Each bough doth hold its tiny light” – no more.

“Thy candles shine out brightly!” Sometimes, traditions take on a new look, a new format, a new meaning. The Tree of Lights will continue with just that – a new look, perhaps a new meaning, but holding the same importance to Virginia Gay Hospital & Clinics. A few years ago, long before anyone would have thought that straight line winds would destroy our treasure, a smaller tree was planted in front of the old sturdy pine.

The little Blue Spruce has grown considerably. It now will take the place of the old pine and be adorned by lights and ornaments bought to remember loved ones cared for by Virginia Gay Hospital & Clinics. We will light it during the holiday season, sing carols in front of it and retreat to the warmth to enjoy cookies and punch. We will always remember that old pine tree.

So, a new tradition will be started. The new tradition will continue to be exemplified by the Healing Tradition of Virginia Gay Hospital.

“Thy candles shine out brightly.”