Christmas story

The spider and the Christmas tree

If you visit a Ukrainian home during Christmas time, you might be surprised by the decorations on the Christmas tree. Where the tradition with these decorations came from is unclear. Perhaps this Christmas story has the answer?

Illustrasjon av et juletre som edderkopper pynter
Illustrasjon av et juletre som edderkopper pynter

Once upon a time…

…there was a widow who lived in a cramped, small cabin with her children. On the outside of the cabin, there was a large pine tree. One day the tree dropped a cone, and soon a new pine tree began to grow.

Liten hytte i vinterlandskap
Liten hytte i vinterlandskap

The children were excited by the thought of finally getting a Christmas tree. They carefully looked after the little pine tree until it was tall enough for them to bring into the house as a Christmas tree.

Illustrasjon av barn leker i snøen
Illustrasjon av barn leker i snøen

The family was poor, and although they now had a beautiful Christmas tree, they had nothing to decorate it with. So on Christmas Eve they went to bed knowing that they would wake up to a bare tree on Christmas morning.

Et studlig juletre
Et studlig juletre

The spiders, who also lived in the cabin, heard the children’s desperate crying and decided to help. They set about spinning the most beautiful silken cobwebs on the tree, and soon it was covered in beautiful patterns.

Illustrasjon av et juletre som edderkopper pynter
Illustrasjon av et juletre som edderkopper pynter

When the children woke up early on Christmas morning, they jumped for joy. They ran to wake up their mother. “Mother, you must come and see our Christmas tree! It is so beautiful!”

The mother got out of bed and in amazement took in the sight of the tree in front of her.

Illustrert bilde av to barn som ser noe vakkert
Illustrert bilde av to barn som ser noe vakkert

One of the children opened the window. As the sunlight streamed in, crept along the floor and up the Christmas tree, the cobwebs turned into glittering threads of silver and gold. The Christmas tree shone and sparkled as if it were full of magic.

From that day on, the widow never felt poor again. Instead she was eternally grateful for all the wonderful gifts that she already had in her life.

In Ukraine, the Christmas tree is often decorated with cobwebs.

It is said to bring good luck for the new year.

Sources:

  • Julefryd (2022)
    Orage Forlag AS

Media rights:

    1. Midjourney (AI)
    2. Adobe Stock
    3. Getty Images
    4. Midjourney (AI)
    5. Midjourney (AI)
    6. Midjourney (AI)
    7. Getty Images