What is the Christmas tree tradition? Is it pagan or Christian?
"Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition—as we now know it—by the 16th century when sources record devout Christians bringing decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce."
"It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. According to a common version of the story, walking home one winter evening, Luther was awed by the stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and decorated its branches with lighted candles."
Do you think this is the story of the Christmas tree? Scholars have discredited this much-repeated story and say the myth stems from an engraving in 1843 which depicts the Luther family gathered around a Christmas tree. Scholars look for documented evidence of things and illuminated Christmas trees were first documented in 1660s.
What is Luther credited with that is more likely fact? Gift-giving on December 24th rather than January 6th to more closely associate gifts with Christ's birth. He is credited with writing a Christmas carol.
The evidence is that Christmas trees came about in Germany, along with decorating and lighting them with candles. Tinsel was first used there and was real silver until the 20th century. The tradition of trees slowly moved east - Germany wasn't popular in England even with the monarch marriages between the two countries. It was Victor and Albert who launched the Christmas tree in England. Things eventually progressed to America through German immigration and high society copying the English Court.
So with that origin in Germany, I guess we should all make sure there's a pickle ornament on our tree - that's the German specialty for decorations.
This is the Dawn Redwood's leaves in the autumn - beautiful bronze.
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