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What would Christmas be without the green of holly, mistletoe and above all, the Christmas tree?
Trees have always played an important role in man's life. As a source of food, fuel and shelter, their role is evident. As a symbol of endurance, (long life) and nurture, trees became an integral part of early man's worship of nature.
Our use of Christmas greens is easily traced to a similar use of greenery in various pagan festivals. Even the "trimming" of cut boughs and/or whole trees is far older than Christianity.
Nonetheless, the Christmas tree, as we know it, has a distinct Christian heritage.
The custom of decorating a tree to symbolize the wonder and joy of Christ's birth began in the late 17th Century in Germany. Inspired by the myriad of stars on Christmas Eve, and thinking, no doubt, of the star which attended Christ's birth, Martin Luther decorated a tree for his children, a tree gleaming with the "starlight" of tiny candles.
The custom grew and flourished in Germany; but it wasn't until the 19th Century that it spread to other Christian countries.
Paris had its first Christmas tree in 1840, and Queen Victoria introduced the custom at Windsor Castle in 1841. News of these events soon crossed the Atlantic and it was not long before the tree became an established part of America's Christmas celebrations.
Electric tree lights have long since replaced candles, of course, and vinyl trees, though spurned by traditionalists, have gained a wide measure of acceptance in recent years. But, whether you choose to decorate a fresh cut conifer, a living tree, or a vinyl replica, your tree will join the countless millions of Christmas trees aglow around the world.
The lightened and decorated tree is truly a universal symbol of Christmas!