Can we think of a Christmas without a Christmas
tree? No we can't. It has become an indispensable part of Christmas
celebration Christmas tree is regarded as one of the most dominant
symbols of the Christmas celebration all over the world. The
celebration is incomplete without a Christmas tree. The freshness
and aroma of a real Christmas tree have been an integral part of the
celebration. The preparation for the celebration usually begins with
the selection of the tree and continues till the day of Christ. It
is said that the Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 16th
century. The very first trees were oak, the same tree used for the
Yule Log. Trees have been a symbol of good luck since the Middle
Ages. In Germany, whenever someone would build a house, a small
evergreen tree would be nailed to the highest beam. Later on they
started bringing those trees inside their home during the time of
Christmas. It was common for the German people to decorate fir
trees, inside and out, with roses, apples, and colored paper during
the festive season. The Christmas tree was not widely used in
Britain until the 19th century. The Pennsylvania Germans brought it
to America in the 1820's. Christmas trees have been sold
commercially in the United States since about 1850. The best selling
trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia
pine, Balsam fir and white pine.
According to legends, the Christmas tree is associated with the
birth of Jesus Christ. It is believed that on the night of His
birth, all living creatures came to Bethlehem to greet him with
gifts. The olive tree came along with its fruit and the palm with
its date but the fir had nothing to gift the newborn king. So an
angel, taking pity on the fir, commanded a cluster of stars to shine
on its beautiful boughs. Baby Jesus smiled on seeing the lighted
tree, and blessed it. That's why; the fir tree is always lighted
with many decorations on it, to please little children during
Christmas. It is also said that the triangular shape of the tree
symbolizes the Trinity and points upwards towards the God. While the
light, gift and decorations on the Christmas tree mean heaven; love
and charity respectively. Even the decorations on the Christmas
trees draw their root in traditional values. The crystal balls
symbolizes the fruit of redemption, the electric light or the
candles are ancient symbols that stand for the triumph of spring
over the darkness of winter. The light also symbolizes the light
that Jesus Christ cast upon the lives of the people. The Holy, when
it flies down to earth, is believed to take the shape of a dove. The
dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, while the bell symbolizes the joys
of life.
