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Every year, some people ask themselves where the Christmas tree comes from. The exact origin is not known, but there are various traces
Where does the Christmas tree come from? Definitely not from Bethlehem
The Christmas tree is as much a part of Christmas as the Amen in church. However, the decorated tree has very little to do with the church. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the Catholic Church recognized the Christmas tree as a Christian Christmas tradition.
- Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who saw the light of day in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. Even today, nativity scenes are set up in Catholic countries and regions at Christmas to commemorate this great event.
- There are also decorated Christmas trees near many nativity scenes. However, these have absolutely nothing to do with the birth of Christ. There is also no mention of the Christmas tree in the Bible. The situation is different in the Koran
- It says that Maryam – Arabic for Mary – is surprised by labor pains and leans against a tree that provides her with shade. Isa – Arabic for Jesus – is born under this (Christmas) tree. However, the tree is not a coniferous plant, but a palm tree.
- It is difficult to say how long the Christmas tree has been around. The Christmas tree as we know it today was first erected in the 15th century. Reformers such as Martin Luther declared the Christmas tree to be the Christmas symbol of the Protestants. Catholics, on the other hand, resisted the tree for a long time. Only since 1982, for example, has there been a tree decorated with lights in St. Peter’s Square every year. This tradition was introduced by Pope John Paul II.
- In general, the Christmas tree probably has pagan origins. Long ago, the branches of the tree were used to drive away winter spirits around the winter solstice. At the same time, the evergreen branches stood for protection and fertility.
The triumph of the Christmas tree in the 19th century
Although there is no reference to a Christmas tree in the Bible, a tree can be found elsewhere. In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church began to enlighten the common people. They used the story of Adam and Eve, as it was popular and well-known.
- For the story in paradise, a “tree of paradise” had to be found. They agreed on an evergreen conifer. A red apple hung on it as the fruit of knowledge. For this reason, apples also hung on the Christmas trees for a long time.
- According to tradition, the first trees were sold at Christmas in the 16th century. These were yew, holly and box trees, which were used in Alsace. In the same century, Christmas trees were set up in the guild houses in Bremen and decorated with apples, nuts and dates.
- In the 17th century, the Catholic Church publicly turned away from the pagan custom. Nevertheless, more and more people put up a Christmas tree at Christmas. Especially among the nobility, the tree was an expression of wealth. The more treats on the tree, the wealthier the owner was considered to be
- In the 18th century, so-called trees of light, which were decorated with candles, stood in the homes of Protestant families. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Christmas tree became a symbol of Germanness and eventually conquered the world.
- German aristocratic families spread the custom to foreign courts, and emigrants also took the tree to England and America. In 1891, a Christmas tree stood in front of the White House in Washington for the first time
