Christmas Tree History with Christmas Invites
The evolving legends of our Christmas tree history and similar traditions throughout the ages have all contributed to the current holiday tradition, uses, and beliefs. There are lots of different origins, but perhaps it was Martin Luther or some other Christian saint; maybe it was the Egyptians; or could it have been St. Boniface, who flattened an oak tree with one blow of his fist, as rumor has it; or possibly any one of hundreds of other theories or tales. But the truth is most likely an amalgamation of myths, with most leading to our current custom followed by most of the world. Our current tradition appears to have evolved from the Germans of the 17th century who would usually tot an evergreen tree to each home and decorated for the Christmas celebrations and festivities. In some of the German towns, evergreen trees were more scarce than others so the people sometimes had to settle for what they called the 'Christmas Pyramid', which was a wooden structure decorated with a variety of ornaments.
Contributions from the English and Germans
The Englishman, Prince Albert, contributed to the growth of the traditions in his country by inaugurating the first Christmas Tree during the 1840s at Windsor Castle. As the popular husband of Queen Victoria, he decorated his tree with gingerbread, fruits, candles, and a few other goodies, and maybe even prepared and sent Christmas tree party invites. Around the same period of time, the Germans immigrating to the United States, it is told, brought the tradition with them, but it was slow to catch on as a popular holiday decoration. History tells us that it took over 40 years, the mid 1880s, before the Americans gave up their skepticism that the tree was a remnant of a pagan rite and actually began seeing the tree as an acceptable symbol of Christmas.
The Egyptians Participation in the Christmas Tree Grown and Acceptance
Early stories have it that the early Egyptians had a great deal to do with developing the custom of cutting and bringing trees into their homes for special occasions like Christmas. The Egyptian people, like most other ancient cultures, revered evergreens. Egyptians would mark the winter solstice by bring green date palm leaves into their households to celebrate the life over death.
St. Boniface's Contribution
St. Boniface, the English monk, was believed to have brought forth a heavenly evergreen when he happened upon a sacrificial rite being performed by the early pagans. He was so disgusted at the thought of a child sacrifice, it is said that he struck an oak tree that the pagans were worshipping, and with a single swing from his fist, the tree fell over. And, in the fallen tree's place, it is reported that a young evergreen sprung up, thus symbolizing the death and resurrection related with Christ.
Other Christian Legends and Contributors
And, then there's the Christian legend about Martin Luther, the protestant hero, while on a moonlit walk through a forest of evergreens. While be enchanted by the starlight, Luther caught sight of the stars through the tree branches and became so inspired that he brought one of the evergreen trees into his house and decorated it with ornaments and candles. During this same period of time, even the Romans celebrated the evergreen by decorating their houses with boughs as payment for homage to Saturn the patron of a festival and god of the harvest and in his honor called 'Saturnalia'.
Cultures throughout the world have some type association with such arboreal rites, like the Norse Vikings who honored the evergreen as a expression of Balder, the Sun god, and a constant reminder that the dark and cold winter would eventually give way to the flourishing springtime. The Celtic druids thought of evergreen boughs as a continuing symbol of life.
Christmas Trees as a Symbol of the Holidays
Whatever the origins, the Christmas tree traditions are now a mainstay with the celebrating of Christmas and are a continuing symbol of the holiday season in most countries and regions. Pagan or Christian, the decorated Christmas tree has maintained a place in our hearts since anyone can remember. Whether it is the colorful electric lights originally added at the beginning of the 20th century, the candles of Martin Luther, each innovative addition the traditional classic seems to add to the circumstance and pomp of the holiday evergreen that just seems to grow in popularity each year.