why do people celebrate christmas with a tree?

Question

what religious significance does a tree have?

Answer 1

It's a tradition that was adopted from Germany.

Both England and America learned about the Christmas tree in the 1830s. Their source was the same: Germany, where the custom of decorating evergreens at Christmas time had long been established. But the English didn't quite get it, as attested by the Oxford English Dictionary, which explains this custom as "a famous feature of Christmas celebration in Germany, frequently but imperfectly imitated in England, especially since its introduction into the royal household in the early years of the reign of Queen Victoria."

Victoria came to the throne in England in 1837. By then, Americans were learning about Christmas trees not from royalty but from German-American neighbors. Harriet Martineau, in her 1838 Retrospect of Western Travel, declared, "I was present at the introduction into the new country of the spectacle of the German Christmas-tree." Americans, who had already enthusiastically adopted Santa Claus (1773), eagerly embraced the tree. By 1855 an article in the Rural New Yorker could remark, "The last thing attended to is the selection and adornment of the Christmas tree."

Here are some thoughts on the origin of the Christmas tree in Germany:

One of the earliest stories relating back to Germany is about Saint Boniface. In 722, he encountered some pagans who were about to sacrifice a child at the base of a huge oak tree. He cut down the tree to prevent the sacrifice and a Fir tree grew up at the base of the oak. He then told everyone that this lovely evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was a holy tree - the tree of the Christ child, and a symbol of His promise of eternal life.

Another story from Germany is about Queen Victoria. She often visited relatives in Germany and while she was there, she fell in love with Prince Albert. After they were married, they moved back to England to raise their family. Prince Albert decorated a tree and ever since that time, the English, because of their love for their Queen, copied her Christmas customs including the Christmas tree and ornaments. This story took place in the 19th century, around 1830.

Another story about the origin of the Christmas tree says that late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope that spring would soon come.

Another legend that has not been proved is that Martin Luther is responsible for the origin of the Christmas tree. This story says that one Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through the snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of the snow glistened trees. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moon light. When he got home, he set up a small fir tree and shared the story with his children. He decorated the Christmas tree with small candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.

Answer 2

I have to tell you that I realized this a few years ago.. When I reread the bible from Genesis to Rev. again.. I had no idea that having a Christmas tree was not Christian at all. But Pagan.. We have a few of those confused traditions... I was led to believe that the Tree was part of Winter. The lights were pretty and the ornaments sentimental and the candy canes..FREE Candy as a kid.. I would prefer to use the Menorah I think it would be way more appropriate considering this is what Jesus would do. Personally I don't think the church body knows how to get rid of the Christmas tree. As a child I always found Christmas trees to be "Scary" I always thought that they were really "Monsters from the Woods." And would try to get me if I fell asleep next to it ,Especially if the lights were out. Perhaps I was right. God bless.

Answer 3

The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.

Answer 4

I often wondered that myself. I was raised with a Christmas tree, and I myself had one in my home with my children because my parents did for us, but in the last few years, I have stopped putting out a tree, because I view Christmas differently. I dont' just celebrate the birth, life, crucifixion, and ressurection of Jesus one day out of a year, because

He blesses me every day of my life. I celebrate Jesus birth, and life etc every day with others. I am not promised tomorrow, so why plan so far ahead when God just might not allow you to be around that far in advance. Celebrate the day at hand, and praise the Lord today, and each day you are given by God.

Answer 5

The tree hearkens back to the time when the pagans celebrated Yule. The reason that Christmas is celebrated when it is is because Constantine found it easier to put the holiday during a time when the Pagans were already celebrating.

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Answer 6

Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree.

Answer 7

None.

It is not only the date of Christmas that has its origins from other than Christianity itself. The "traditions" that are followed to celebrate Christmas come from a myriad of ancient and occult practices.

What we today know as carolers originated from the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Then known as Mummers, these were a group of people dressed in bright clothes who went from house to house entertaining neighbors during the holiday. Yule logs come directly from the tradition of ancient Pagans burning them in honor of the sun and the sun God Mithras. The kissing under mistletoe comes from these same traditions, and was originally done as part of a fertility ritual. These people also believed that hollyberries were food for the gods.

Not even the Christmas tree is original to this Christian holiday. Early-day Europeans brought evergreen trees into their homes during the cold and harsh winters to remind them that their crops would grow again come Spring. Evergreen was a symbol of fertility and good fortune, and was used in totems and rituals.

Answer 8

A tree signifies growth!

Answer 9

It's the modern-day equivalent to Ye Olde Yule Log.

Answer 10

It doesn't - it was popular during Saturnalia, the ancient Roman holiday that Christmas is based on.