When you really stop to think about it, the idea of bringing a live tree indoors, festooning it with delicate glass ornaments, and tiny colorful lights, seems a little ridiculous. A tradition that odd must have its roots in the ancient past. And now we do it because, well, we've always done it. I, for one, won't settle for that explanation. So I did a little digging. Here is a brief glimpse into the evolution of the Christmas Tree.
Many early cultures worshipped evergreen trees. Try for a moment to imagine yourself back in ancient Egypt when so little was understood about the natural world. Everything was mysterious and miraculous, from the rising of the sun, to the sound of thunder. Death was the ultimate mystery. Was that the end? If not, what lay beyond? They looked to nature for the answers. In winter, when everything appeared to die, why did some trees turn brown while others stayed miraculously healthy and green? It must be that the evergreen varieties had some special power over life and death, a connection with eternity. Even perhaps favored by the gods. Although it wasn't the pine, the Egyptians did worship their very own evergreen, the date palm. When the winter solstice arrived, the Egyptians brought date palm fronds into their homes. To them the message was clear. Here is a palpable reminder of life's triumph over death.
The Romans followed suit. They also celebrated the winter solstice but with a feast called Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. As with the Egyptians, the Romans also brought boughs of evergreens into their homes. They then decorated inside and out with candles, garlands and expensive fabrics. On the day of the feast, all debts were forgiven, gifts were exchanged, jubilation reigned. Sound familiar? Many scholars believe that the winter solstice was chosen for the celebration of the birth of Christ in order to appease newly converted pagans who were hungry for a mood-lifter during the cold months of winter.
The tradition of the evergreen symbolizing everlasting life was also well established in the early Judeo-Christian societies. Like the Egyptians, the palm frond symbolized life after death in Christian art. Martyrs, such as St. Matthew in this depiction by Caravaggio, are shown being giving the symbolic palm frond by a heavenly host.
(click image for large view)
Palm Sunday is another example. Christ was welcomed back into Jerusalem with jubilant people waving palm fronds. The symbolism is clear, like the evergreen in winter, life conquers death.
While It is easy to trace the ancestry of the celebration of Christmas back to Roman times and Saturnalia, the direct line between these ancient uses of the evergreen and our modern tradition of the Christmas tree is more difficult to prove. The first solid evidence comes from 16th Century Germany and a chronicle dated 1570 that was recovered from a Bremen guild. In that chronicle was a report about how a small fir tree was decorated with fruits, nuts and paper flowers. The tree was carried to the guild house and all of the guild members' children collected the little presents on Christmas Day. But in all honesty, this is probably the most likely of several legends that surround the Christmas tree. One even involves Martin Luther himself. Suffice it to say, the practice spread, but very slowly through Europe. Queen Victoria recollected that as a child she was dazzled by two small trees that were decorated with sugar ornaments and encircled with presents. When she married the German Prince Albert, already familiar with the custom, the tradition began to take hold in England. It was helped along through the generous efforts of the Prince, who, as a gesture of glad tidings, presented Christmas trees to schools and army barracks throughout the country.
So how did this idea cross the Atlantic? Well, any practice that was good enough for the British royals, was good enough for the American aristocracy. There are a couple of U.S. cities that lay claim to having the first Christmas tree in America, Easton, Pennsylvania and Windsor Locks, Connecticut. We certainly don't want to step on any toes so we will tip our hats to both cities! But there is no debate about the enterprising Mark Carr. It is said that the market for home trees was created by this one Catskill farmer. He hauled two ox sleds leaden with trees into New York City. And sold them all! In 1900, one in five American homes had a tree, and 20 years later the appeal of the Christmas Tree had entered virtually every home in the country.
So decorate with love. Fill your tree with dazzling memories, for it is in our thoughts that loved ones triumph over death.
Oh, and are you wondering about the six most popular types of Christmas trees? Wonder no more!
1. Scotch pine (about 40% of the market)
2. douglas fir (about 35%)
3. noble fir
4. white pine
5. balsam fir
6. white spruce
