__NOTOC__[[File:Hillingford Yule Log.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 1. Yule logs derive from the Old Norse tradition of celebrating Yule.]]Christmas trees, which are a variety of fir, pine, and spruce trees, are closely linked with the visuals most of us have for Christmas. However, in many ways, the symbol of the Christmas tree seems surprising for the story of Christmas. The development of the Christmas tree as a key symbol begins before Christianity and only long after Christianity established itself in Europe did it become associated with Christmas.
==Early Developments Before Christianity==In Northern Hemispheres of Europe, including in Germany, Scandinavia, and other parts of Northern Europe, Yule was traditionally among the most important holidays in the pre-Christian calendar. The Tree of Life is a symbol in many ancient cultures that also as Biblical references. In Northern Hemispheres, much development of the landscape would become bleak and short on food during winter. The winter solstice, December 21-22, was celebrate Christmas tree as Yule. This was often a time of feasting and even sacrifice to give thanks to the gods and anticipate renewal of the land as the days begin to get longer and winter ends. Fir, pine key symbol begins before Christianity and other evergreen trees were often the only green color present long after Christianity established itself in the landscape, indicating that they had life in them during the depths of winter. The evergreens became symbols of life and renewal and in Old Norse mythology, with evergreens equated Europe did it become associated with the great mother goddess. Hanging reefs in one's home and other parts of the evergreens was a way to bring luck to the home during a period when death and want were likely.<ref>For more on Yule, see: Morrison, D. (2000). <i>Yule: a celebration of light & warmth</i>. St. Paul, Minn: Llewellyn PublicationsChristmas.</ref>
While Christmas trees are clearly associated with the Tree of Life from Old Norse mythology, other aspects of Christmas may also link. For instance, Yule trees may have been decorated with lights, particularly candles, to symbolize the stars. Other decorations may have been put around trees in the Old Norse tradition as a way to remember those who died during the year. These decorations could have been personal items or implements that were simply hung around the tree. Gifts placed under or near the Yule trees may have symbolized gifts given to the gods as a token of thanks and offering for blessing in the coming year. The burning of Yule logs was applied to symbolize the life giving force of fire (Figure 1). The idea was that the sun after solstice would begin to gain strength, similar to a sick person gaining strength. As the sun gained strength, then it would renew the land and trees would blossom in the spring, giving life and providing for people.<ref>For more on Christmas traditions and their origins, see: Dues, G. (2000). <i>Catholic customs & traditions: a popular guide (Rev. ed)</i>. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, pg. 56.</ref>
[[File:Hillingford ====Early Developments Before Christianity====In Northern Hemispheres of Europe, including in Germany, Scandinavia, and other parts of Northern Europe, Yule Logwas traditionally among the most important holidays in the pre-Christian calendar. The Tree of Life is a symbol in many ancient cultures that also has Biblical references. Many cultures had used trees to celebrate life's renewal.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 1In Northern Hemispheres, much of the landscape would become bleak and short on food during winter. The winter solstice, December 21-22, was celebrate as Yule logs derive from . This was often a time of feasting and even sacrifice to give thanks to the Old Norse tradition gods and anticipate renewal of celebrating Yulethe land as the days begin to get longer and winter ends.]]
==Associations Fir, pine and other evergreen trees were often the only green color present in the landscape, indicating that they had life in them during the depths of winter and gave hope for spring's return. Thus evergreens became symbols of life and renewal and in Old Norse mythology evergreens were equated with Christmas==the great mother goddess that gave life. Hanging reefs in one's home and other parts of the evergreens was a way to bring luck to the home during a period when death and want were likely.<ref>For more on Yule, see: Morrison, D. (2000). <i>Yule: a celebration of light & warmth</i>. St. Paul, Minn: Llewellyn Publications.</ref>
The date of While Christmas chosen by trees are clearly associated with the Roman Catholic Church was selected because many societies converting to Christianity had celebrated the solstice and many godsTree of Life from Old Norse mythology, such as Mithras and others, were born on December 25thother aspects of Christmas may also link. ThusFor instance, policies of including pagan traditions Yule trees may have been decorated with that of lights, particularly candles, to symbolize the birth of Jesus made conversions relatively easierstars. With Christmas Other decorations may have been put around trees, this likely was also in the Old Norse tradition as a similar policy as Nordic countries began to convert way to Christianity in greater numbers in remember those who died during the late 1st millennium ADyear. However, Christmas was not universally, even in Nordic countries, applied with a Christmas These decorations could have been personal items or implements that were simply hung around the tree. This might mean that for some time Christmas Gifts placed under or near the Yule trees may have had some meaning symbolized gifts given to people, particularly with their old traditions before they converted, where they remembered people the gods as a token of thanks and offering for blessing in the renewal coming year. Caroling derives from Yule singing and celebration. The burning of Yule logs was applied to symbolize the lifegiving force of fire (Figure 1). Christmas trees do not seem The idea was that the sun after solstice would begin to gain strength, similar to be associated with a sick person gaining strength. As the sun gained strength from the spark present in the Yule logs, then it would renew the home land and trees would blossom in the centuries after many Norse societies convertedspring, giving life and providing for people.<ref>For more on early Christianity Christmas traditions and Old Norse traditionstheir origins, see: AndrénDues, A. (Ed.)G. (20062000). <i>Old norse religion in long-term perspectivesCatholic customs & traditions: origins, changes, and interactions ; an international conference in Lund, Sweden, June 3 - 7, 2004a popular guide (Rev. ed)</i>. LundMystic, CT: Nordic AcadTwenty-Third Publications, pg. Press56.</ref>
During ====Associations with Christmas====The date of Christmas chosen by the late Medieval period Roman Catholic Church was selected because many societies converting to Christianity had celebrated the solstice and many gods, such as Mithras and early modern periodothers, around the 16th centurywere born on December 25th. Thus, we begin to see policies of including pagan traditions with that of the use birth of Jesus made conversions relatively easier. With Christmas trees more frequently or , there likely was, at least initially, also a similar policy of integrating pagan ideas with Christian holidays, as Nordic peoples began to convert to Christianity in greater numbers in direct association with Christmasthe late 1st millennium AD. After the Protestant Reformation However, Christmas trees was not universally, even in Germany began to be brought into the home and placed as Nordic countries, applied with a way to remember life and renewal along with Christmastree. Although nobody knows This might mean that for sure, why, one possibility is the clergy began to see some period Christmas trees as heathen practice from pre-Christian may have had some meaning to people, particularly with their old traditionsbefore they converted, forcing where they remembered people to bring them to their homes to hide themand the renewal of life. Sometimes Martin Luther himself is credited with decorating Christmas trees with candles do not seem to symbolize the starts, but this might not be likely given associated with the fact evergreens were decorated already during home in the Old centuries after many Norse period and in their traditionssocieties converted.<ref>For more on the origin of Christmas trees early Christianity and ChristmasOld Norse traditions, see: Brunner Andrén, BA. (Ed.). (20122006). <i>Inventing the Christmas treeOld norse religion in long-term perspectives: origins, changes, and interactions ; an international conference in Lund, Sweden, June 3 - 7, 2004</i>. New HavenLund: Yale University Nordic Acad. Press.</ref>
By 1605During the late Medieval period and early modern period, by around the 16th century, we begin to see the city use of Strasburg was recorded to have Christmas trees decorating places more frequently or in direct association with other associations that we now consider part of the Christmas tradition, such as chocolate covered apples, sweets, and other foods and presents. In After the 17th centuryProtestant Reformation, many places continued Christmas trees in Germany began to shun be brought into the Christmas tree, seeing it home and placed as a symbol of paganismway to remember life and renewal along with Christmas. HoweverAlthough nobody knows for sure why, one possibility is that the popularity of the clergy began to see Christmas trees never went awayas heathen practice from pre-Christian traditions, forcing people to bring them to their homes to hide them. In particularother traditions, Martin Luther himself is credited with decorating Christmas was seen as a solemn event by many of the clergy and reveling and feasting associated trees with Christmas went against this. Perhaps candles to accommodate a strong popular demand, some of symbolize the clergy began associating Christmas trees with Christ starts and the coming making them popular as part of Jesus to save the world. Howeverhome, throughout much of but this might not be likely given the fact evergreens were decorated already during the 17th Old Norse period and 18th centuries, only mostly in Germany was Christmas associated with Christmas treestheir earlier traditions.<ref>For more on the early history origin of Christmas trees and its controversyChristmas, see: RoyBrunner, CB. (20052012). <i>Traditional festivals: a multicultural encyclopediaInventing the Christmas tree</i>. Santa Barbara, CalifNew Haven: ABC-CLIO, pg. 69Yale University Press.</ref>
==Modern Developments==By 1605, the city of Strasburg was recorded to have Christmas trees decorating places and homes with other associations that we now consider part of the Christmas tradition, such as chocolate covered apples, sweets, and other foods and presents. In the 17th century, many places continued to shun the Christmas tree, seeing it as a symbol of paganism. However, the popularity of the trees never went away. In particular, Christmas was seen as a solemn event by many of the clergy and reveling and feasting, derived from Yule, went against the ideas of Christmas to many. Perhaps to accommodate a strong popular demand, some of the clergy began associating Christmas trees with Christ and the coming of Jesus to save the world. Singing Christmas songs celebrating the birth of Christ replaced drinking and other songs sung during Yule. However, throughout much of the 17th and 18th centuries, only mostly in Germany was Christmas associated with Christmas trees.<ref>For more on the early history of Christmas trees and its controversy, see: Roy, C. (2005). <i>Traditional festivals: a multicultural encyclopedia</i>. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, pg. 69.</ref>
====Modern Developments====[[File:Victoria and Albert Christmas tree.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 2. Queen Victoria and her husband helped popularize Christmas in Britain and other countries.]]Credit for spreading the idea of a Christmas tree as a way to decorate the home during Christmas likely originates with Queen Victoria of Britain and German settlers who began to migrate to North America. Queen Victoria married a German husband, Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who had in his traditions the use of Christmas trees during Christmas. Victoria herself was of German origin and had Christmas trees in her home as she grew up. After she was married, Queen Victoria began to circulate images of her family celebrating Christmas, with the Christmas tree shown, helping to make the imagery popular among the British public (Figure 2). As the royal family in Britain had a public role as symbols of the country, people began to mimic their practices. This included Christmas trees, where wealthier classes and up and coming classes began to decorate their homes with Christmas trees in response to the royal family's use of the trees. Soon charities even were established that provided poorer children with access to seeing or having Christmas trees. Thus, many classes soon began adopting Christmas trees and also associating Christmas with children and gift giving, which derived from the Norse tradition used in Germany. As Victoria's children married into other European royal families, this also helped spread the use of Christmas trees.<ref>For more on Victoria and the spread of the Christmas tree tradition, see: Rappaport, H. (2003). <i>Queen Victoria: a biographical companion</i>. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, pg. 91.</ref>
In North America, German soldiers under British command, already by As the late 18th century during royal family in Britain had a public role as symbols of the American Revolutioncountry, people began to use mimic their practices. This included Christmas trees in Quebec , where wealthier classes and up and perhaps coming classes began to decorate their homes with Christmas trees in response to the Colonies themselves. The first Christmas tree in royal family's use of the United States may have been by a Hessian soldier imprisoned in Connecticut in 1777trees. By the early 19th century, Soon charities even were established that provided poorer children with access to seeing or having Christmas trees began to become more common in the United States as more German immigrants migrated to the United States. With technology rapidly developing in the late 19th century as the Industrial Revolution developedThus, electricity became available in many places. This led to the idea of decorating classes soon began adopting Christmas trees and also associating Christmas with electric lights by Edward Hchildren and gift giving, which derived from the Norse tradition used in Germany. JohnsonAs Victoria's children married into other European royal families, a vice president in this also helped spread the Edison Electrical Light Company, where in 1882 he decorated his use of Christmas tree at home with electrical lights in New York Citytrees.<ref>For more on developments Victoria and the spread of the Christmas in North Americatree tradition, see: Baines Rappaport, DH. (19972003). <i>Christmas Traditions and LegendsQueen Victoria: a biographical companion</i>. BookpartnersSanta Barbara: ABC-CLIO, pg. 91. </ref>
InitiallyIn North America, German soldiers under British command, already by the late 18th century during the American Revolution, began to use Christmas trees were in Quebec and perhaps in the Colonies themselves, although most Revolutionaries would not have decorated their homes with apples, sweets and sometimes other ornamentsChristmas trees. The round shapes first recorded use of apples, a Christmas tree in the United States may have been by a Hessian soldier imprisoned in Connecticut in particular1777. By the early 19th century, were continued as glass and later plastic balls were used to decorate Christmas trees. In Germany, glass making industries began to specialize become more common in colorful decorations that were applied the United States as more German immigrants came to treesthe United States. With technology rapidly developing in the late 19th century as the Industrial Revolution developed, which then spread electricity became available in popularity in other regionsmany places. The origin of tree-toppers or decorations at This led to the top idea of decorating trees with electric lights by Edward H. Johnson, vice president in the tree likely originates from the Victorian periodEdison Electrical Light Company, when the Queen and her family where in 1882 he decorated their his Christmas tree at home with an angel and later traditions began to use starselectrical lights in New York City.<ref>For more on developments of Christmas tree decorations and their changein North America, see: BrennerBaines, RD. (19851997). <i>Christmas past: a collectors’ guide to its history Traditions and decorationsLegends</i>. West Chester, Pa: Schiffer PubBookpartners.</ref>
[[File:Victoria Initially, Christmas trees were decorated with apples, sweets and Albert Christmas treesometimes other ornaments.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 2The round shapes of apples, in particular, were continued as glass and later plastic balls were used to decorate trees. In Germany, glass making industries began to specialize in colorful round and other types of decorations that were applied to trees, which then spread in popularity in other regions. The origin of tree-toppers or decorations at the top of the tree likely originates from the Victorian period, when the Queen Victoria and her husband helped popularize family decorated their tree with an angel and later traditions began to use stars.<ref>For more on Christmas in Britain tree decorations and their change, see: Brenner, R. (1985). <i>Christmas past: a collectors’ guide to its history and other countriesdecorations</i>. West Chester, Pa: Schiffer Pub.]]</ref>
====Summary====
Christmas trees have long symbolized life and renewal. In many ways, they still do through the Christmas stories and how many families choose to decorate them. With marketing and spread of globalization, Christmas trees now transcend Christian traditions and are popular among many cultures. Later traditions began to add "fake" snow and other sorts of decorations; however, many popular aspects of Christmas, including caroling and foods we eat, have an ancient origin in relation to celebration around the feast of Yule that Christmas later adopted. What was once a relatively solemn holiday began to change to something celebrated as a happy time of year.
====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Holiday History]][[Category:Religious History]]
