Skip to main content

CHRISTMAS TREE HISTORY



Did a celebration around a Christmas tree on a bitter cold Christmas Eve at Trenton, New Jersey, turn the tide for Colonial forces in 1776? According to legend, Hessian mercenaries were so reminded of home by a candlelit evergreen tree that they abandoned their guardposts to eat, drink and be merry. Washington attacked that night and defeated them.


The Christmas tree has gone through a long process of development rich in many legends, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture, with the Springfield Extension Center.



Some historians trace the lighted Christmas tree to Martin Luther. He attached lighted candles to a small evergreen tree, trying to simulate the reflections of the starlit heaven -- the heaven that looked down over Bethlehem on the first Christmas Eve.



Until about 1700, the use of Christmas trees appears to have been confined to the Rhine River District. From 1700 on, when lights were accepted as part of the decorations, the Christmas tree was well on its way to becoming a tradition in Germany. Then the tradition crossed the Atlantic with the Hessian soldiers.



Some people trace the origin of the Christmas tree to an earlier period. Even before the Christian era, trees and boughs were used for ceremonials. Egyptians, in celebrating the winter solstice -- the shortest day of the year -- brought green date palms into their homes as a symbol of "life triumphant over death". When the Romans observed the feast of saturn, part of the ceremony was the raising of an evergreen bough. The early Scandinavians were said to have paid homage to the fir tree.



To the Druids, sprigs of evergreen holly in the house meant eternal life; while to the Norsemen, they symbolized the revival of the sun god Balder. To those inclined toward superstition, branches of evergreens placed over the door kept out witches, ghosts, evil spirits and the like.


This use does not mean that our Christmas tree custom evolved solely from paganism, any more than did some of the present-day use of sighed in various religious rituals.



Trees and branches can be made purposeful as well as symbolic. The Christmas tree is a symbol of a living Christmas spirit and brings into our lives a pleasant aroma of the forest. The fact that balsam fir twigs, more than any other evergreen twigs, resemble crosses may have had much to do with the early popularity of balsam fir used as Christmas trees.



Written by: David Robson Extension Educator, Horticulture Springfield Extension Center.



Source: Christmas-tree.com

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to become an Eat Bulaga Studio Audience

For sure everybody wants to see the "Dabarkads" in person especiall "Bossing" and watch Eat Bulaga Live! How to make reservations for the show? HERE'S THE GUIDELINES FOR EAT BULAGA STUDIO RESERVATIONS: 1. Reservation and entrance is free of charge. 2. Children below seven (7) years old are NOT ALLOWED to enter the studio unless they are contestants or participants of the show. 3. Mobile phones, food and drinks are strictly prohibited in the studio premises and shall be surrendered to the security guards for safekeeping. 4. All studio audience are required to bring at least one (1) valid ID for identification purposes. 5. For further questions, please call 721-2222, 725-7100, 0927-7918828, 0949-6432631 and look for Tonette Aduna or Hyacinth Uri. For more information just visit, Ea Bulaga Official Website. Update from Eat Bulaga FB Page: STUDIO BOOKING AND RESERVATION 1. First come, first served basis po ang aming booking. Magpunta lang po sa Br...

Photo and Video- Marian Rivera on FHM 2014 Victory Party

Catch some of the photos of Kapuso star Marian Rivera, this year's Sexiest Woman in the Philippines during last Wednesday night's FHM Most Sexiest Women 2014 Victory Party held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Donna Cruz Larrazabal, Daldalita Wedding Photos

Here's some of Donna Cruz photos from "Daldalita" during Mateo (Ogie Alcasid) and Carmela (Donna Cruz) wedding days on the pilot episode of Daldalita. Photos courtesy of GMA Network and Daldalita fanpage.

Super Shane Shake Dance- Video Tutorial

Want to do the "Super Shane Shake Dance'? Here's a tutorial video of Super Shane Shake Dance from Time of My Life. Time Of My Life is a 2011 Philippine drama billed as a "danserye" (dance TV series), created and developed by GMA Network, starring Mark Herras and Kris Bernal. The show premieres on August 1, 2011 on GMA Network in the Philippines and on August 3, 2011 on GMA Pinoy TV. Shane is the character of Kris Bernal on the dance-serye.

GMA Artist Center “League of Artists” Batch 2

50 contract stars of GMA’s talent management and development arm, GMA Artist Center, ‘graduated’ from their intensive talent development workshop held recently to “further enrich their skills in the multi-faceted field of performing arts,” says the center’s press release. photo and text credit:gmanetwork Among those who completed the workshop are actors Vaness del Moral; Diva Montelaba; Julian Trono; Krystal Reyes; Protege winners Jeric Gonzales and Thea Tolentino, finalists Ruru Madrid, Mikoy Morales, Elle Ramirez, Arny Ross, Zandra Summer, Abel Estanislao, Bryan Benedict, Japs de Luna and Shelly Hipolito; “Teen Gen” lead cast member Juancho Trivino; and child stars Angel Satsumi (Pepito Manaloto), Barbara Miguel (Munting Heredera), Rose Ann Magan (Biritera), DanielaAmable (Tropang Potchi), Isabel “Lenlen” Frial (Tropang Potchi), Bianca Umali(Tropang Potchi).

Kyla dominating Indonesian Airwaves

R&B Princess Kyla is now dominating Indonesian Radio Stations. INDAH CINTA KITA -Joeniar Arief feat. Kyla Indah Cinta Kita. #5 on 101.1 MGTRADIO (Indonesian Radio) #5 on 92.9 Solo Radio, #6 on 91.7 J Radio FM, #11 on 105.8 Gress FM Official Clip Of Joeniar Arief 3rd Single " Indah Cinta Kita" featuring Philippine RnB Princess Kyla.

Video- Arnold Clavio's interview with Janet napoles lawyer Atty. Alfredo Villamor

Some netizens thinks that Arnold Clavio disrespected the lawyer of Janet Napoles. Pinoy Balita commented, "Im so sorry ARNOLD CLAVIO but you became very UNPROFESSIONAL!!! Even if Atty. Villamor is the Lawyer of Janet Napoles, I think ARNOLD, you did not uphold the right ethics in interviewing him. YOU DISRESPECTED HIM... Truly, Arnold Clavio did not live up to GMA's Coat of Arms.... GMA Network." Ivy Miravalles i never answer fb post but seeing arnold's way of interviewing the lawyer, i was so disappointed that i kept on looking for ways to air out my sentiments, very bad arnold. he should undergo more training and debriefing, baka pagod na sya sa or masyado exposure sa work, he needs debriefing. He was so rude, i hope this reaches him or the management. Part of an interview said: “Pasira ka ng araw eh,” Clavio snapped, adding that the case in court was exactly what he meant. As their exchange heated up and as Villamor continued to calmly explain h...

Tween Academy: Class of 2012 Premiere Night a big Success

GMA-7's hottest teen stars are set to conquer the hearts of moviegoers as they star in the upcoming movie, Tween Academy: Class of 2012 by GMA Films. The premiere night on August 20 was a blockbuster which makes the movie a Box-Office Hits in the making once it started showing on your favourite cinemas on August 24, 2011. The movie stars GMA Tweens Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio, Jake Vargas, Bea Binene, Lexi Fernandez, Louise delos Reyes, Alden Richards, Kristoffer Martin, Joyce Ching and Derrick Monasterio. Also in the cast is Elmo Magalona. To see the Movie Trailer for "Tween Academy: Class of 2012", click here! <p><p>This page requires a higher version browser</p&...