The Origin of Decorating The Christmas Tree


Christmas Decorations outside the Edmonton Legislature Building.


The tradition of decorating the tree for Christmas was said to have started in Germany with Martin Luther: 

"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" (history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees).


Ancient Egyptians would fill their homes with green palm rushes to symbolize the God Ra's triumph over death (at the solstice). Early Romans would decorate their homes with evergreen boughs to celebrate the feast of Saturnalia, to commemorate Saturn, the God of Agriculture. Finally, the Druids decorated their temples with evergreen boughs at the Winter Solstice as a symbol of everlasting life (history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees).

Whether honouring the solstice or the God of Agriculture, decorating with evergreen trees or boughs in the winter came to be a tradition adopted by the Christians to celebrate the birth of Christ, and the everlasting life for those who believed in Him.

Thankfully we no longer use lit candles to light our trees. The day I get to decorate the tree is my favourite part of the Christmas Season. As an adult, Christmas Day is no longer as special as it was when I was a child; I enjoy the season as a whole now and it starts with decorating the tree!

What is your favourite part of the season?



 

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