The French word for Christmas, Noël, comes from the Latin word for birthday, natalis. Christians around the world celebrate the birthday of Jesus as one big family. In the homes of the faithful, the birth of Jesus is anticipated throughout the days of Advent.

In a well-researched article by Dr. Richard Bucher we learn that "From the mid-seventeenth century on the Christmas tree slowly grew in popularity and use. However, it was not until the beginning of the 19th century that the use of the Christmas tree grew into the general German custom that it is today."

In the 19th century the custom of bringing home an evergreen, lighted and decorated to delight the children on Christmas Eve, spread throughout europe and much of the Christian world. In France at the time these holy cards were created, the evergreen had became part of this joyful celebration. But who brought the tree home and why? These cards give us a glimpse of some of the stories that began to be told...