subject: Christmas Tree [print this page] History reveals that trees have always played a vital role in many winter religious celebrations. In ages past, many pagan festivals and celebrations utilized trees when honouring their gods and spirits.
The evergreen was considered to be a powerful symbol by the Vikings. The evergreen was a reminder to the Vikings that the darkness and cold of the winter season would eventually come to an end and that the green of spring would always return. The Ancient Druids of England, France and Ireland decorated oak trees with fruits and candles and Romans decorated trees with trinkets and candles at the festival of Saturnalia. There have been many legends surrounding the use of the Christmas tree.
According to Christian history, the Roman Catholic Church chose December 25th as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. There are many myths and stories of the Christmas tree came to be used as a Christian symbol to help with the celebration of Jesus Christs birthday.
Some of the most popular of them are of, a monk named Boniface, who is now known as St. Boniface. By the 12th century the Fir tree was being hung, upside down, from ceilings at Christmas in Central Europe, as symbol of Christianity. The decoration of Christmas tree is said to have started with a monk named Martin Luther, who decorated the tree with candles. This was to show children how the stars twinkled through the dark night of the winter season.
By the mid-16th century, Christmas markets were setup in most German towns.
These markets provided everything from gifts, foods and other practical gifts. At these markets, bakers made shaped gingerbreads and wax ornaments for people to buy as souvenirs. These souvenirs could be taken home and hung on the Christmas trees.
The Christmas tree was popularized by the British Royalty, namely Queen Victoria and her German Prince Albert. Queen Victoria was very popular with her subjects. What the Queen did at Court became fashionable both in European and American Society. The English Christmas tree had arrived.
They were decorated with, quilled snowflakes, handmade stars, and paper baskets filled with sugar candies and other goodies. But now they are large and are decorated with many bells, colourful balls, and shiny tinsels. The trees are often topped with a beautiful golden haired angel.
Though, the times have changed and with that the decorations have changed but the message of Jesus remains the same.
