FROM CHRISTIAN TODAY
For many Londoners a Norwegian pine Christmas tree standing tall in Trafalgar Square throughout December until Twelfth Night is a familiar sight at Christmas.
Its origins tell a moving story of courage, solidarity, and the faithfulness of friendship in dark times.
When Norway was invaded in 1940, King Haakon VII fled to Britain and formed a government-in-exile.
From London he broadcast daily messages of encouragement to his people.
His unwavering presence became a lifeline of hope throughout the occupation.
NORWAY’S CHRISTMAS TREE TRADITION BEGAN 83 YEARS AGO
The tradition of gifting a tree to London began in 1942, three years before the end of the war, when a Norwegian commando smuggled two spruce trees out of Norway.
One was given to the exiled King and the other was erected in Trafalgar Square as a sign of hope.
After liberation, Norway never forgot the sanctuary Britain had provided.
As a gesture of gratitude the Norwegian government pledged to send a Christmas tree to London every year – a tradition which the city of Oslo has ensured continued for 83 years.
TRADITION WITH “DEEP SPIRITUAL RESONANCE”
When prolific children’s author and radio producer Hilary Robinson first discovered this history, she recognised its deep spiritual resonance.
“For me, the tree isn’t just a decoration, it’s a testimony. “
“It speaks of solidarity and belief in a better dawn, even when the night feels long.”
“Growing up in Nigeria during the Biafran War, I witnessed both unbelievable suffering and acts of extraordinary compassion and humanity.”
“WAR DESTROYS, NATURE HEALS”
“I also saw that while war destroys landscapes, nature always reasserts itself.
“It returns to the most devastated places just like poppies in battlefields and the song of the skylark.”
“The Norwegian Pine, standing tall in the midst of the city, reminds me of the words from John’s Gospel:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
A TRIBUTE IN SONG TO TRAFALGAR’S FAMOUS TREE
Those experiences deeply shaped the themes and the words of Norwegian Pine, a Christmas song based on Hilary Robinson’s poetic tribute to the Trafalgar tree.
Her lyrics reflect the hope, light, and the healing strength that nature and God give us in adversity.
It was performed by London-born, Nigerian-raised Gospel singer Sarah Teibo to mark the 75th anniversary of Norway and Oslo’s annual gift.
Hilary Robinson writes that Sarah captures the peace and unity at the heart of Christmas and the joy that God’s light brings.
“WE TOO ARE CALLED TO STAND TALL, ROOTED IN FAITH AND SHINING WITH HOPE”
Faith is a frequent theme in Hilary Robinson’s children books such as God’s Love In A Nutshell, Paws Together For God and Jesus@Anytime.
“As the tree illuminates Trafalgar Square once more, it reminds us that we too are called to stand tall, rooted in faith, shining with hope and reaching for peaceful resolution wherever we are planted,” she writes.
“For Christians and visitors alike, it is a moment to reflect on the friendships that shaped Europe’s peace and on the biblical promise that God’s light continues to shine in a troubled world.”
“This year’s tree feels especially significant as the world marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War – a reminder of the fragile but powerful gift of an enduring peace.”
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