Evergreens are a popoular part of the holiday decorating tradition, and have been for many centuries. Christians have not been the only ones to use Christmas trees in winter. Read on to learn more about the history of evergreens' connection to Christmas and the holiday season.
History of Evergreen Wreaths, Garlands, and Sprigs and Sprays in Holiday Decorating
People who hang evergreen in their homes practice an ancient tradition of filling the home with plants believed to offer new life and vitality.
Evergreens remained alive and even bore berries and fruit despite the cold of winter to the astonishment of ancient European peoples, who carried these plants into their homes in hopes that these plants would give them the same qualities.
Evergreens symbolized new life and resurrection in many ancient European cultures. The ancient Celts decorated with greens for protection and used greens in their winter holidays. They tied fruit and other objects to evergreen branches and decorated evergreen trees with candles to honor their gods.
The tradition of decorating the home with boughs of evergreen trees became a Christian tradition during the early Middle Ages. An 8th century legend has the German St. Boniface cut down an oak tree, a symbol of paganism, and an evergreen tree spout up in its place. The saint declared the evergreen tree a triumphant Christian symbol of everlasting life, as its boughs stay green all year.
The Christmas Tree's History
The modern Christmas tree-a decorated evergreen tree- has roots in several traditions. People throughout the world's history have decorated trees to honor their gods. The ancient Celtic Druids decorated evergreen trees; the ancient Roman decorated trees to honor their gods, as did the ancient Egyptians.
The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree for Christmas was virtually unknown outside of Germany before the 19th century, however. A legend gives the Protestant reformer Martin Luther credit for decorating the first Christmas tree for personal devotion in Germany.
The Christmas tree spread to England in the 1830's when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg, a region of Germany. Prince Albert decorated the first Christmas tree in Buckingham palace and began the tradition of Victorian Christmas decorating, including homemade ornaments and paper chains.
The Christmas Tree Comes to America
About the same time, the Christmas tree became popular in America. Though German immigrants likely brought the tree to the colonies in the 16th century, Harvard university professor Charles Follen decorated the first Christmas tree in America on record in 1832. A German immigrant, Follen put up the tree to share his home country's tradition with his small son and holiday party guests. Other Americans continued by copying the tradition, and today the Christmas tree remains a symbol of the holiday season.
Today, as Americans decorate their homes with evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands, they continue to hang ancient symbols of new life and celebrate the season as have countless others before them.
For more on holiday traditions, see Poinsettias History and Meaning, or Silent Night: People, Places and Belief Behind a Popular Carol.
SOURCES
Lalumia, Christine. "Ten Ages of Christmas". BBC History Online. 2008
Relf, Diane. "Plants Play Part in Christmas Traditions." Virginia Gardener Newsletter 4:12, 1997.
Melissa Roberts - A trained hospital chaplain, Melissa is a freelance writer, teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual director.
