Christmas Trees: The origin and evolution.

The history of Christmas trees goes back further than the December holiday. Evergreens were used in Ancient Rome and Egypt and there are some stories that say those tres were worshipped as gods. The cutting down of trees continued with the German tradition of candlelit Christmas trees which was brought to America in the 1800s. The tradition as we now know it began in the 26th century when Christians brought decorated trees into their homes during the holiday season, not to worship but as a winter decoration for the celebration on December 25.

There is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, is the one who began this trend of lighting candles and placing them on a tree. It seems that Luther was walking home one winter evening and took notice of the brilliance of the stars glistening upon the evergreen trees. He was so overwhelmed by the sight that he decided to recreate it for his family. He then cut down a tree, placed it in the main room in his home and set lit candles upon it. Today placing lit candles on a Christmas tree would be considered a unsafe practice and a fire hazard.

When I was growing up in the county, in the 1960s everyone simply went to a field and chopped down their own tree. For many years these were pine trees and they were a mess. Pine needles would fall all over the floor and on the gifts. They also pricked your fingers and were difficult to clean up. Not many people cut down their own trees today but they can be purchased at Christmas tree lots or in front of grocery stores. Many people purchase artificial green Christmas trees and reuse them year after year. In the 1970d aluminum trees became popular then were no longer available. They now are making a comeback as I have seen them in several local businesses. Artificial Christmas trees can now be purchased in an array of colors including pink and purple.

Each year at this time as I observe the various trees that are decorated for the holiday I reflect upon the Hans Christian Andersen tale, The fir tree. In this story there is a tiny tree in the Forrest who watches each year as other trees are cut down, placed inside a nearby home and decorated for Christmas. The little tree is anxious for his turn to be arrayed in gold and glitter. When that day finally arrives the fir tree is overjoyed and proud to be the center of attention on Christmas Day. Sadly, after the holiday all the beautiful decorations are removed and the tre is thrown in a cold dark attic. There was no way the fir tree could have known that his time as a Christmas tree would be brief.

As he lays there the fir tree laments his situation and thinks of how good he had it in the Forrest. One day his life comes to an end and he is chopped up for firewood. I oftenponder this when I see the once live trees on sidewalks and curbs in January awaiting the garbage trucks to pick them up. I have been told that the trees are grounded into mulch and at least that way they come to some good use. Still. when the trees, both real and artificial are decked out in all their glory they are a wonder to behold.

This is not always the case, however. A lot of Americans thought the red trees that First Lady Melania Trump used her first Christmas in the White House were hideous. Some however liked them so to each his own. People decorate their Christmas trees with traditional ornaments, handmade or special themed items. One thing that seems constant is a star or angel on top. Some view these as symbols of the first Christmas but others use them as holiday decorations and nothing more.