Christmas--The Christmas Tree Story

[Gregory Matthews]

THE  CHRISTMAS  TREE  STORY

 

 

The

Christmas

tree was introduced

across the Scandinavian

 countries from Germany in the

Nineteenth

Century, and

quickly began replacing

the Yule log, which had been

introduced by the Goths and Saxons. 

The tree

probably originated

from mystery plays, in which

a tree, the Paradisbaum (tree of Paradise)

was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden.  After

the suppression

of these plays, the tree 

migrated into houses; gradually

the custom evolved of decorating it with cookies,

fruit and candles.  The lighted Christmas tree seems to have

been Martin Luther’s contribution. 

In many countries little flags were placed on

the trees combining the sacred and secular aspects 

of the holiday celebration.  Evergreens were used because they did

not die in the wintertime, and thereby

became 

symbolic 

of eternal life. 

Prince Albert of Saxony, husband of Queen Victoria, introduced the Christmas tree to England in 1841. 

German immigrants brought the tree custom to the United States, where it was adopted enthusiastically

throughout the country.  The custom of lighting community Christmas trees originated in the United States.