The Christmas Tree
with lights and ornaments
as a part of
the Christmas season.
Evergreen trees and shrubbery
( wreaths, garlands )
is an ancient custom
dating back to the
Chinese, Hebrews
and Egyptians.
Tree decoration became part
of the Christian tradition
initially as part of
the New Year celebration
to scare the devil away.
In the early 700's,
Germany celebrated
Christmas
by planting fir saplings.
This is said to have started
when a
British monk
and missionary, St. Boniface,
was preaching a sermon on the
Nativity to a tribe
of Germanic Druids.
The
Druids evidently believed
that the trees were sacred
so to prove to them
otherwise,
he cut one down on the spot.
When it fell,
it crushed every shrub
in its path except
for one small fir sapling.
Legend has it
that he interpreted
the fir's survival
as a miracle,
concluding,
"Let this be called the tree
of the Christ Child."
The history of
the modern
Christmas tree
goes back to
16th century Germany.
They decorated
them with
paper roses, apples, wafers,
gilt, and sugar.
The modern Christmas tree
came from Germany,
from a medieval custom,
as the paradise tree.
Decorated with apples,
cookies, and candles.
The decorations symbolized the
Garden fo Eden,
the host, and Christ.
In the 17th century,
the Christmas tree
spread through Germany
and Scandinavia.
German custom became
placing a Yule tree
at the entrance of the house.
Eventually the
tree
was extensively decorated,
first with candles and candies,
then with
apples
and confections.
It is believed that
Martin
Luther
was the first to
add candles to a tree.
As he walked home
one winter evening,
composing a sermon,
he was awed by
the brilliance of
stars twinkling
amidst evergreens.
To recapture the scene
for his family,
he erected a tree
in the main room
and wired its branches
with lighted
candles.
In England the tradition
was made popular by
Prince Albert,
husband of Queen Victoria.
The German immigrants
brought the Christmas
tree to America
in 17th century.
Public outdoor Christmas trees
with electric candles
were introduced in
Finland in 1906, and in
the USA (New York) in 1912.
The first mention of
the Christmas
tree in America
was in 1821,
recorded in the diary
of Matthew
Zahm of
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
By 1901,
commercial Christmas tree
farming had even began--
growing trees,
for Christmas.
William Bradford,
governor
of the Pilgrims,
tried to stamp out all
"pagan mockery"
of the observance
of Christmas,
and Oliver Cromwell
preached against
"the heathen traditions"
of Christmas carols,
decorated trees and
any joyful expression
that desecrated
"that sacred event."
Of course
the Christmas
tree
is still here today,
but there seems to be
no particular
traditional
way to decorate.
The type of tree
matters little.
We have real trees,
fir of different varities ,
the Douglas fir
being the most popular,
or pine...
or
you can go to
a department store and
pick out an artificial one
(they don't
shed needles
and are safer )
in blues, greens, silver, etc...
Some buy a keepsake
ornament
each year.
I buy one for myself
and my parents.
My favorite ornaments are
still the ones
my children have made.
I like to put
my tree
up early...
I want to
enjoy it
as long as possible.
