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The history of the Christmas Tree on Virtual-Tripping.
By Mark on December 18, 2009
This is the story of how we came to have the Christmas Tree, which most christian and non christian people decorate every christmas. The actuall fir tree itself was dated back to a thousand years, when Saint Boniface, who managed to bring christianity to Germany, he was to come across a group of pagans who were worshipping an oak tree, he was so angry, that he cut down the oak tree and amazingly, a young fir tree appeared, from the roots of the oak tree. Because of this St.Boniface, took it has a sign of the christian faith. But it was around the 16th century, when people finally took it to their hearts, and brought the tree into their homes.
The tree it’self is a evergreen coniferous tree, and what ever type of tree you have, real or artificial, it will still represent christmas, I prefer artificial ones. It has been a very long tradition which originated from the european country of Germany, to decorate and celebrate the tree over christmas. It really does not matter which type of evergreen coniferous tree you have, it can be left indoors or left outdoors. Normally, it has been a tradition to decorate the tree, this dates back to the ancient times of the pagans, Druids, Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews, it was back then to clelbrate the winter solstice, which takes place on the 21st december every year. This is when the sun will start to move high up into the sky, giving more light as the days and nights progress, also meaning that it will usher a fertile time of planting and bountiful harvests.
The Germans also would hang wafers on the tree along with the apples to represent the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Later on in the Victorian era, the apples were replaced by red glass balls and candles and the representation signified both Adam and Eve along with the fire of life. Moreover, the Christmas tree was also used to scare away evil forces for the new year. To celebrate christmas people would decorate the tree, with apples and other types of fruit, as well as candles were lighted to celebrate the brightness and warmth of the returning sun.
But today, we decorate our trees with ornaments, garlands and tinsel. It is also a tradition to place either an angel or star on top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.
If you are very lucky you may find chocolates or sweets hanging from the tree as well, as christmas presents under the tree from Santa Claus or Father Christmas. I do hope you all have a lovely christmas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM NICK AND I AT VIRTUAL-TRIPPING.
Posted in Europe | 3 Comments
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3 Responses to “The history of the Christmas Tree on Virtual-Tripping.”
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Nick Ramsay, exploring the world from a zabuton in Japan.
8:13 pm on December 24th, 2009
Another very informative article, Mark. Lots of new facts for me to digest. Good work.
Mum
4:14 pm on December 29th, 2009
Thanks Mum.
2:28 am on January 8th, 2010
Hey! I just googled my “web name” (ipeters61) and I found my picture! Thanks for appreciating my photography!