The Legend of the Christmas Spider

The Christmas spider is a German legend from long ago. Today, many people who love the legend, have begun to place a spider among the shiny decorations in their own Christmas trees.

The Legend of the Christmas Spider

Once upon a time, long, long ago, a mother was busy cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year. The day that the Christ child was born! She cleaned and scrubbed until not a speck of dust could be found. Even the spiders were banished from their cozy corners in the ceiling to avoid getting caught by the housewife's busy cleaning. They scrambled and climbed, and finally fled to a corner in the attic.

T'was Christmas Eve at last! The tree was decorated and stood proudly by the fireplace, waiting for the children to come downstairs. But, the poor spiders were frantic, because they could not see the tree, or be present for Christmas morning. The oldest and wisest spider suggested they could peep through the crack in the foyer door.

Silently, they crept out of the attic, down the stairs, and across the floor to wait in the crack of the threshold. Suddenly, the door opened just a wee bit, and quickly the spiders scurried into the room. They needed to see the tree close-up, since their eyes were not accustomed to the brightness of the room. They crept all over the tree, up and down, over every branch and twig, and look at each one of the pretty decorations. At last, their curiosity was satisfied, and the stared in awe at the beautiful Christmas tree.

Oh, no! Everywhere the spiders went, they had left their webs! When Santa came down the chimney, he looked in dismay at the tree. He loved the little spiders, for they are God's creatures, too, but he knew the mother, who trimmed the tree, would not feel the same. So, he touched the webs and watched as they turned to sparkling, shimmering silver and gold!

Ever since that time, people have hung tinsel on their Christmas trees. And, according to the legend, it is customary to include a spider among the decorations on the tree.