eChristmasTrees

Ever wondered where the tradition of having a Christmas tree came from? If so, scroll to the bottom of this page to read all about the origin of Christmas trees.

The Origin of the Christmas Tree

Usually, when people think of Christmas, there are lots of things that come to mind. Online Christmas gifts, Santa Claus, shopping, decorations, and if you’re religious, then the birth of Jesus is possibly at the forefront. Another huge symbol of this holiday season is, of course, the Christmas tree. Sure, you see them all over the place – malls, restaurants, city squares, and even lots selling fresh ones – and you may even have one in your home, but have you ever stopped to think where this tradition came from? Why would people bring a tree in their home and string it with lights and hang ornaments all over its branches? It sounds a little strange when put like that, but if you trace it back to its beginnings, it makes perfect sense.

The earliest known occurrences of the modern day Christmas tree actually had nothing at all to do with Christmas. In fact, December 25 wasn’t even an important date on the calendar. In ancient times, Egyptians, Europeans, and others were more concerned with December 21 or 22, because this was when the winter solstice occurred. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, and this is also the day that marks the beginning of longer days to come. On this date, the ancient people knew that the sun would start to be out longer, and that soon their crops would grow and the trees would once again be green and fruitful. To celebrate this day that was, in effect, so important to their survival, they brought in boughs of evergreens – the only plants that remained green throughout the winter – to remind them of the upcoming warmer season.

In later years, after Christianity had come about, the Germans brought the first “real” Christmas trees into their homes. One commonly held belief about this period is that the Protestant Martin Luther was responsible for starting this tradition. Walking home one winter night, he noticed the stars shining brightly in the sky and spreading over the tree line. He wanted to recreate the effect for his family, so he brought in a tree and decorated it with brightly lit candles. This happened during the 16th century, and as the years passed, Christmas trees grew in popularity across Europe. In America, however, this was not the case.

Most Americans viewed Christmas trees as unholy Pagan symbols until the mid-1800s, a lingering belief from the Puritan era. It wasn’t until German and Irish immigrants began arriving in mass numbers that the tree began to be viewed in a new light, and the Puritan viewpoint was overwhelmed. With beautiful ornaments being imported from Germany and the magic of Christmas taking hold, the United States changed its stance on the decorated evergreen tree. By the 20th century, Christmas trees were becoming an important part of the holiday tradition, and many American homes had their own each year. Communities also began displaying trees, and soon this ancient symbol of life became a standard part of the holiday season as we know it.