Christmas tree  12/18/05

Before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year held special meanings for people in winter. Like modern man,  ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.

In the Northern hemisphere, the shortest day and longest night of the year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called the winter solstice. Winter solstice was celebrated because it meant that at winter had peaked and the spring season would soon begin. Evergreen boughs reminded them that green plants that would grow again when spring and summer returned.

Germany is credited with beginning the modern Christmas tree tradition, starting in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is believed that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.

The 1880's saw a rise of the Aesthetic Movement and Christmas Trees became a glorious hotchpotch of everything one could cram on; or by complete contrast the aesthetic trees which were delicately balanced trees, with delicate colors, shapes and style, and soon grew from table size trees to floor standing trees. Now with decorations as well as crafts more popular than ever, the brightly decorated trees soon grew in popularity.

The birth of the large public or town square trees, that were erected in the center of the town, on for example, the very large Capitol or New York style trees were erected in public places to give moral support to the people of the times, and quickly grew in popularity during World War II .

A F.W. Woolworth brought the glass ornament tradition to the United States in 1890. From 1870's to 1930's, Germans made the finest molds for making ornaments with nearly 5,000 different molds at the time. At the turn of the century there were over one hundred small cottage glass blowing workshops in Europe. Today the older ornament models are passed down from generation to generation, often becoming family heirlooms.

The Christmas tree has become a symbol of giving, with the presents placed under the tree for loved ones to open with glee on Christmas morning.  The legend of Santa Claus permeates the idea of a jolly fat man in a red suit bringing presents to all "good boys and girls" on Christmas morning.  As this is Christianity's recognized celebration of the birth of the Christ child, as well as the naming conventions of the actual holiday lending credence to the Christ Mass day, the Christmas tree has become the dual symbol of the birth of Christ as well as a holiday of giving.

Thank you and have a very Merry Christmas.