The Queen of Christmas

As we reflect on the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth, I can't help but think of the last Queen to grace the throne before Elizabeth whom played an important role in the history of Christmas decorating within the home.

Although Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition in the 16th century, it wasn't until 1846 when Queen Victoria became inspired by Charles Dickens novel 'A Christmas Carol' and began decorating her royal home with Christmas trees to lift the stagnant disappearance of Christmas in Great Britain.

Here's an excerpt from volume one of Restoring Your Soul Through Christmas Movies on Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens:

In the beginning of the nineteenth century, Christmas was hardly celebrated and businesses did not consider it a holiday. But by the end of the century, Christmas would become the most celebrated holiday, reignited in large part to Charles Dickens novel and Queen Victoria who began displaying Christmas trees in her royal home after reading the soon-to-be classic 'A Christmas Carol'.

There have been many prominent figures throughout history that have made an impact on society because of their own life experiences, and Charles Dickens and his book are no exception.

Dickens drew inspiration for writing A Christmas Carol after visiting a school for poor and hungry illiterate street children and from his own difficult childhood of having to work at the age of twelve while his father served time in prison for failing to pay his debts. Charles Dickens would also become heavily involved in fighting the social injustice of children working in mines after becoming appalled at seeing the deplorable conditions they were working under.

Some say the inhumane treatment of children, the harshness of the world, and Dickens own father's way of dealing with finances all played a major role in Charles Dicken's creation of Scrooge and his story of redemption.