Christmas Tree History 1

For many of us Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without a Christmas tree. Have you ever wondered where the tradition of having a Christmas tree came from? There is some controversy among Christians over the use of the Christmas tree and we’ll discover what the reasons are and why some see the tree as a symbol of Christ and others find it a pagan tradition. Still others see each ornament as something representing the coming of the Christ child.

  
Tradition Began in Germany

 The tradition began in the 16th century in Germany. St Boniface went there to try to convert the people to Christianity. While walking in the woods he found pagans worshipping their gods and spirits around an oak tree. One story tells they were actually sacrificing a child to their gods. Since this angered him, he immediately chopped down the tree. The legend goes that he knocked it down with his fist. Oaks are strong trees, so it must have been a very small tree. Tradition says that after he chopped or knocked the tree down a pine tree sprung up in its place. St Boniface saw this as a sign and the tradition of the Christmas tree began.

 Others stories say that Martin Luther went for a walk one night and thought that the stars shining through the pine trees were so beautiful that he brought one home to place in his house. There he covered the trees with candles. The tradition of lighting the tree with candles than began. The tree skirt was placed under a tree to catch the burning wax from the candles. This explains our tradition of using Christmas lights which are much safer than using candles.

The German people were the first ones to use at tree at Christmas. They used roses, apples, nuts, berries and candles to decorate the trees. It was the Protestants that first adopted the Christmas tree as part of the celebration of Christmas, even if the story of St Boniface is true.