subject: How Did Christmas Trees Become A Symbol Of Christmas? [print this page] Christmas trees are such a major staple of Christmas that their image is even found on the very ornaments they're decorated with. They grace posters in store windows, and multiple trees full of sparkling, brightly colored Christmas balls are often found in department stores everywhere. Rockefeller Center always features a huge, richly decorated tree, and the White House has a beautiful tree full of shiny Christmas tree decorations each year as well. So how did the Christmas tree become a symbol of Christmas?
Modern Christmas trees can be traced back to 16th century Germany, however the tradition goes back centuries before. Evergreen trees symbolized life to many different peoples around the ancient world, since they remain green while everything else appears brown and lifeless during winter. Evergreen trees and branches were used in different types of winter solstice ceremonies and festivities. In Germany, evergreen trees were placed either inside homes, or just outside the door, around Christmas as a symbol of faith that spring, and life, would return.
There is some debate about whether the Christmas tree is a Christian or pagan symbol. Today's Christians tend to see the tree as representing everlasting life, which is embodied in Jesus Christ. However, for a long time Christmas trees were almost purely a German tradition, and it wasn't until the 19th century that Prince Albert and Queen Victoria made Christmas trees popular elsewhere in the world. They were seen as a pagan symbol, even a mockery, of the season by many Christians elsewhere in the world up until that point.
In the United States, Puritans saw trees and other decorations and festivities at Christmas as heresy, and some colonies even outlawed such practices. When German immigrants started settling in Pennsylvania and Ohio, they brought their Christmas traditions with them, including trees and their Christmas tree decorations. The picture of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert next to their Christmas tree made the trees fashionable across the eastern U.S. and through much of Europe.
The use of Christmas tree ornaments and Christmas balls on evergreen trees also have pagan origins, but there is a story about Martin Luther walking late at night, and seeing snow-covered evergreens sparkling from starlight from the heavens. Because of that, he put candles on a tree in his home to represent heaven, the star of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus Christ. During Saturnalia, however, Romans kept candle-lit trees in their homes as well, so there's also some debate about the origins of lights as Christmas tree decorations.
Christmas trees symbolize the hope and joy of the season, as their original intent was to symbolize life in both pagan and Christian traditions. In paganism, life renews every spring and in Christianity, everlasting life is given by the acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's savior. Christmas tree ornaments can symbolize pretty much anything, as can the lights, however the trees themselves are a representation of the hope of life, regardless of beliefs.
