There are many versions of how the custom of the Christmas Tree was first started. We will take a look at the various theories, which have been passed down, and many of them documented throughout the centuries. The one thing, which everyone does agree on is that the use of trees first, started out as a ritual used by pagan religions prior to the introduction of Christianity.
Trees have always had a significant role in the pagan religion. The Norsemen worshipped them and the Celts and Saxons used them to ward off witches and evil spirits. Pagans looked upon evergreen trees as the symbols of life. It was these trees which were responsible for fertility, sexual potency and reproduction. Often the trees were brought into the home were their idols were carved and given a place of honour in the house to be worshipped. Different types of trees were used depending upon the region from which a person came. Many times pagans would decorate the tree with apples and other fruit as well as placing gifts under the tree as an offering to their god.
It is thought that the first Christmas tree, which was undecorated, began in Germany in the early700's. Apparently St. Boniface known as the "Apostle of Germany," a British monk and missionary was preaching a sermon on the Nativity to a group of Germanic Druids outside the town of Geismar. In order to prove the oak tree was not sacred he felled the tree. Once the tree toppled over it crushed every shrub in its' path except for a small fir sapling. St. Boniface took this, as a sign to show the druids this was a miracle and a sign from the Lord. He called this tree "the tree of the Christ Child." For many years afterwards Christmases were celebrated by planting fir trees.
Another story also surrounds St. Boniface who was an English missionary known as the "Apostle of German." It seems in the year 722 St. Boniface came upon some men who where about to cut down a huge oak tree to be used as a stake for a human sacrifice to their pagan god. With one blow he felled the tree and as the tree split a you fritter sapling sprang from its' centre; it's branches reaching towards heaven. St. Boniface told the people this was a holy tree, a symbol of eternal life and the tree was called the tree of the Christ Child. He told the people to bring evergreen trees into their homes and to decorate it with symbols that represented our Lord.
Another story tells of when Christianity was first introduced to Northern Europe. It is said that three persons representing Faith, Hope and Charity were sent from Heaven to place lights on the original Christmas Tree. Before placing lights on a tree they had to find one to exact specifications which were, a tree as high as hope, as great as love; as sweet as charity; and it was also required to have a sign of the cross on every bough. The tree they found was the firtree, which they lighted from the radiance of the stars; thus, it became the first Christmas Tree.
The Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 16 century. It is the result of two distinct different Christian symbols the first being the "Paradise tree and the second a triangular shelf which held Christmas figurines. The first trees were decorated with roses cut from a variety of coloured paper, apples, wafers, gifts and candies. Trees were decorated outside as well as being brought into a person's home. Many believe that Martin Luther a Protestant reformer was the first person known to use candles in a Christmas Tree as lights. It is said he was struck by the beauty of a firtree with the starlight shining through its branches and decided to duplicate the scene by using candles.
The Paradise tree represents the tree of knowledge, which grew in the Garden of Eden. It is symbolic of both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Discernment of good and evil. The Paradise tree was first used during the 11 century when religious theatre was born. The tree was decorated with apples and small white wafers representing the Holy Eucharist. Cookies cut into stars, angels, hearts, flowers and bells later replaced these wafers. The "Paradeisbaum" (Paradise Tree) became extremely popular and was often used in Churches as well as homes. The tree eventually became a symbol of Christ. Even today in parts of Bavaria the tree is still referred to as the Paradise Tree.
The German Prince Albert husband of Queen Victoria introduced the custom of Christmas Trees to Great Britain in 1841. Prince Albert decorated the first Christmas at Windsor castle with the well to do quickly in Britain quickly following suit. The Christmas Tree did not become widely used in Britain until the 19 century.
Pennsylvania Germans first introduced the Christmas to America during the 17-century. It was first mentioned in the diary of Matthew Zahm of Lancaster under the date December 20, 1821. The first public tree illuminated with electric candles was in 1912 in the city of New York.
Today many people still decorate trees at Christmas time
for the season. The difference is now we use more artificial tree than
real ones. No longer do we use candles, which were extremely dangerous
but a wide variety of lights, which come in many forms and sizes. Some
are blinking lights, some play music and others just give light. We no
longer use the traditional decorations. Glass balls, angels, Santa clauses,
garland, blown glass, ornaments made by our children, candy canes and a
wide variety of other ornaments are used. Yet the symbol of the tree still
remains the same as in the early Christian years, "The Tree of Life."
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