The first recorded Christmas tree can be found on the keystone sculpture of a private home in Alsace in 1576. What Is the History of the Christmas Tree? 1. Two centuries later, the German Lutherans had successfully planted the tradition, and it continued to catch on. The Christmas Pyramid was located in the same room as the Paradise Tree “A triangular construction of wood that had shelves to hold Christmas figurines and was decorated with evergreens, candles, and a star.” The Christmas Pyramid and the Paradise Tree were combined by the 16th century. Candles were often added to the paradise tree because they symbolize Christ, the light of the world. Over time different shapes were incorporated. The first Christmas ornaments were apples to signify the forbidden fruit, and wafers to represent the Christian sacrament of Communion. ![]() The Feast of Adam and Eve was celebrated in historical Western Germany on December 24th “The main prop of a popular medieval play about Adam and Eve was a ‘paradise tree,’ a fir tree hung with apples, that represented the Garden of Eden.” Paradise Trees were placed in homes and decorated. The Christmas tree and the nativity scene both became popular decorations of the season. Yuletide eventually became a Christian tradition of Christmastide, the Christmas season. Catastrophe or kidnapping to the fairy kingdom befell those that witnessed it. Yuletide (Yule time) was a pagan German festival associated with the folklore of the Wild Hunt, in which fairies, elves or the dead appeared in a supernatural group. The evergreen came to signify Christ to the people, our mighty God who entered the world as a baby. Boniface began to cut the oak down, and the wind took the tree to the ground, revealing an evergreen growing in its trunk. The people of the town of Hesse (Hessia) worshipped the god, Thor, believing he took up residence in an oak tree. Boniface takes place in the 8th century, and is often referred to as the “Felling of Thor’s Oak.” In some traditions, he is considered the pioneer of the Christmas Tree. Jeremiah 10 addresses the idol worship of wood carvings as worthless and foolish (v8). Trees were even worshipped in an attempt to keep the devil at bay. “No one will disagree that pagans have long ‘worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator ( Romans 1:25)’ …yes, even trees,” wrote Angie Mosteller of. There were many pagan practices revolving around the evergreen tree, but none proved to be linked to the Christian tradition of the Christmas tree. Evergreens Symbolized Eternal Life and Trees Were Decorated to Scare the Devil. What Is the Meaning of the Christmas Tree? 1. “In temperate climates, evergreens can reinforce their own survival.” An evergreen doesn’t lose all of it’s ‘leaves’ at once, like the slow but inevitable pruning of the hard parts of our hearts by Christ over time. The Latin meaning for evergreen is always green. Though, some people may prefer artificial for practical reasons or allergies. Christmas trees are typically evergreen trees, often a pine or a fir. The Christmas Tree is an evergreen tree, usually decorated at Christmas with ornaments and lights. Not just any tree qualifies for this important holiday season status. ” The history of the Christmas Tree is not something everyone agrees on, but here are many of the roots that water the age-old tradition. As might be expected, the popular carol 'O Christmas Tree' ('O Tannenbaum' in German) also had its beginning in Germany. Angie Mosteller,, writes: “ Though there may be disagreement on when the tradition of Christmas trees first started, the case is certainly strong for both a German and a Christian origin. The evergreen tree is a fitting representation of the long-withstanding love of God, and the gift of His Son born unto us. ![]() “ I am like an evergreen cypress from me comes your fruit. In the Bible God compares himself to a tree: Largely associated with the Christian celebration of Christmas, the traditionally adorned tree is now shared by many backgrounds of faith and holiday celebrations. Presents aren’t the point of Christmas or the Christmas Tree, but the Greatest Gift is. “He came! He came!” My husband and I hold tight to the memory of our toddler discovering presents under the Christmas Tree.
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