Carmen and I have been watching our favorite Christmas shows, one each night. The Christmas Tree scene from Charlie Brown’s Christmas was one of my favorite scenes. Speaking of Christmas Trees, do you have a Christmas Tree Tradition? Comment yours below!
The Christmas Tree
What is the history and symbolism of the Christmas tree? Let’s take a look.
The tree tradition was said to start with paganism. Evergreen branches hung in homes represented life over death, and a green and fruitful harvest. Others said they were used to ward off evil (spirits) and sickness.
Most blame the Germans, from the 1600s, for the tradition of the Christmas tree. It is believed that Martin Luther. while walking home one evening, saw stars glistening through the branches of an evergreen. He wanted to capture the moment. So he cut an evergreen down, brought it into the home, and wired candles to it.
Don’t be a Burgermeister
With this being a strong German tradition, when they migrated to the Americas, they brought that tradition with them. But the Puritans weren’t having it. Remember “Santa Clause is Coming to Town?” And remember the Burgermeister Meisterburger? Check out these scenes. Christmas was against the law!
Well, turns out that wasn’t so far from the truth. In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense. People were fined for hanging decorations. 😲
It wasn’t until the 1800s that Queen Victoria and her German Prince Albert, who were very popular, made a fashionable statement with the Christmas tree, This then caught on in America.
An American Tradition
Americans did their version with homemade ornaments. If you are old like me, you remember making strings of popcorn with a needle and thread to decorate the tree, along with paper snowflakes and silver tinsel, ceramic ornaments, oversized bulb strands, and the big star on top. As a pre-teen, I remember my grandparent’s aluminum artificial tree with the rotating light wheel. I thought my grandparents were really hip!
The modern symbolism? The fir (Christmas tree) represents the tree of life.
John 3:16 NKJV
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The lights? They represent the light of Christ.
John 8:12 EVS
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The star? It represents the star of Bethlehem. It led the wise men to the baby Jesus, the fulfillment of the prophecy. And the star was the shining hope for mankind.
Matthew 2:2, 10 niv
2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Jesus is the Light of the World, everlasting life, our shining star! Use this song to reflect for a moment.
Challenge of the Day:
Prepare for the celebration of God coming down from the heavens to be among us, to be with us. He demonstrates His love for us. Let us prepare our hearts, our focus, and our walking around life among family and others. May we fully receive and comprehend the depth, width, and breadth, and fullness of His gift of everlasting life. So be it!
