A center piece to the holiday season, we often gravitate towards a Christmas tree. Decked in lights and bobbles, the smell of Christmas hangs in the air, where a Christmas tree is found.
But before the lights and popcorn and bobbles, and even before they came indoors, Christmas trees have existed. To truly understand the significance of a Christmas tree, we must travel back hundreds of years ago.
During the Winter Solstice evergreen trees help prominence with many cultures. These trees retained their life and their leaves despite the cold and snow. Due to this special gift, evergreen trees became a symbol of life and protection during a time of year where many things withered and died. Hung on windows and doorways, the boughs were said to ward away the evil of witches, ghosts, and illness.
In the 16th century Christmas trees made their way indoors. It also during this time when Protestant Martin Luther walked home while writing a sermon and saw the stars twinkling amongst the evergreens. Greatly moved by this celestial sight, he rushed home to recreate what he had witnessed for his family. From there lights and Christmas trees spread from Germany and around the globe.
As for America, we were slow to adopt this holiday custom. Like the other aspects of Christmas, we didn’t adopt Christmas trees until the 18th century.
The immigrant families from Germany brought with them their customs. For some families that was enough for them to adopt Christmas trees. However, it wasn’t until German Prince Albert brought the Christmas tree to his wife, Queen Victoria, his family, and England, that the Christmas tree spread throughout Europe and hopped the pond to us in America.
This custom was readily accepted and adopted because Queen Victoria was beloved by her people and those who lived on the East Coast of America were fashion and politically trend conscious. So, when an image of Queen Victoria and her family standing around the Christmas tree in the London News- Christmas trees filled homes around the globe.
No matter the avenue Christmas trees took to get to our homes, today they have become a key fixture to our holiday season. Due to the pivotal part Christmas trees play in our traditions I ask that you take a moment and think about what a Christmas tree means to you.
For me, a Christmas tree is many things. It’s a link to the memories of Christmas’ before. Each year, we purchase a Christmas tree and when we get home I get to decorate it. The ornaments range from purchased to handmade. The lights twinkle and the smell unlocks memories building the Christmas Spirit around and within me.
Our Christmas tree is also the centerpiece to our festivities. The nutcracker and snow globe collections frame the tree and the tree is the place we spend time with each other.
For on Christmas morning my mother, my dog, my cat, and I meet at the tree to unwrap the presents placed below.
Christmas trees hold a special place within our holiday season. These evergreens that symbolize life provide great joy. At least that’s my opinion. What’s yours?
Your Daily Dose of Christmas:
Christmas Ornaments DIY:
- https://www.simplemadepretty.com/diy-rae-dunn-inspired-christmas-ornaments/
- https://sweetredpoppy.com/christmasornaments/
- http://diytotry.com/ideas-for-clear-glass-ornaments/?homedecor=1580368957
Christmas Song: Zat You, Santa Claus by, Louis Armstrong
Christmas Movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV9sgMB-BKE
Daily Affirmation:
- “I have the ability to craft my kind of holiday.”