Christmas Tree and the Evergreens

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The Christmas tree came into general use in comparatively recent times. the custom began in Germany and was first mentioned in anonymous chronicle in 1605. There is a story, however that Luther started the custom much earlier, putting candles on an evergreen to represent the stars on Christmas eve.

Another story tells of St. Boniface when he was a missionary in Germany in the 18th century. He was trying to stamp out the pagan rite of sacrificing people to the oak tree. He led his followers to the oak forest at yule time. Showing them a fir tree, he said it pointing straight upward to the Christ child. " Take this tree to your homes," he said "a sign of your new worship [Christianity]. It [the fir ]lives when earth is darkest and has no stain of blood. Celebrate Gods power in the forest in shameful rites, but in the sanctity of your homes with laughter and love."

By the beginning of the 19th century nearly all Germany had adopted the Christmas tree. The custom soon spread to most countries of Northern Europe but is still unusual in Italy, Spain, and Latin America. The date of the First Christmas tree in the United States has been given as 1804 at Fort Dearbon in Illinois, but research has failed to substantiate it; the date now accepted is 1832 in Cambridge Mass.

The use of evergreens for yule decorations began in Northern Europe. Sweden, Sweden however, uses flowers. Mistletoe too is a custom from Norhern Europe , where people once placed in their doorwaysas charms. The use of holly arose because its prickly leaves resembled Christ's crown of thorns and its scarlet berries suggested blood droplets.