The origins of the Christmas tree

POLOKWANE – For many families, this time of the year means coming together to spend time with each other, give thanks and spread love.

For many, the decorating of the Christmas tree with tinsel, ornaments and the bright star at the top marks the start of the festive season and is seen as a tradition. However, with something so common that you see everywhere from schools to malls at this time of the year, one has can’t help but  wonder where the Christmas Tree originates from.

Long before the dawn of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green throughout the year had special meaning for people during winter, as they believed that the greenery would keep evil spirits, illness, witches, and ghosts away. Many ancient people believed that the sun was a God and that winter came every year because the sun God had become sick and weak. As the winter solstice (the shortest day and longest night of the year) occurs on December 21 or 22, ancient beings celebrated this, believing that the sun God would begin to get well.

However, it is in Germany where the Christmas Tree tradition began. In the 16th century, devout Christians would bring decorated Christmas trees into their homes. Some people built Christmas pyramids out of wood and would decorate them with evergreens and candles. It is believed that a 16th century Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, first added lights to a tree after he was left in awe seeing the twinkling stars amidst the evergreens and so he recreated the scene by putting up a tree and wired the branches with lighted candles.

Today, the Christmas tree has become the ultimate symbol of the festive season, with many places erecting their own trees and decorating them elaborately, while some families put up Christmas trees in their homes, spending time together decorating it.