Clinton News-Record, 1984-12-05, Page 59The Christmas tree is a
Of all Christmas customs, perhaps the
most universally treasured is the Christmas
tree. Brightly decorated with shimmering
lights and glittering ornaments, the tree is
as likely to reflect the traditions of each in-
dividual family, as it is those of the world at
large.
From the exciting moment when the tree
is set up, usually some days in advance of
Christmas Eve, it commands a position of
central importance during all holiday
festivities.
So much so, that it is difficult to believe
that, a scant 200 years ago, the custom of
setting up and trimming a tree at
Christmastide was not widely observed out-
side its native Germany.
One legend credits Martin Luther, the 16th
century theologian, with having set up the
very first Christmas tree. According to this
legend, Luther conceived of a tree alight
with countless candles as a way of represen-
ting to his children the glory of the starlit
Heaven.
However, historical sources indicate that
the first Christmas tree can be traced to the
early 17th century, when fir trees, decorated
with colored paper, gold foil, apples, toys
and candies, were reported in the German
city of Strasburg.
Though the Christmas tree was a relative-
ly familiar sight in 18th century Germany,
certain localities continued to favor the
"Pyramid," a wooden structure adorned
with colored paper and lights and (in
Berlin) green twigs as well.
Nineteenth century England knew the.
"Pyramid" as a decorative formation con-
sisting of gilt evergreen, apples and nuts.
The Christmas tree owes its popularity, in
England, to Prince Albert, the consort of
Queen Victoria, who imported the custom
from his homeland, Germany.
Perhaps the first Christmas trees in
America were erected by Germans, the
Hessian mercenary soldiers who fought on
the British side during the Revolutionary
war — not a terribly auspicious beginning
for such a time-honored tradition.
The first American president to set up a
Christmas Tree in the White House was
Franklin Pierce, whose administration
spanned the years 1853 to 1857. However, it
wasn't until , the presidency of Calvin
Coolidge that an official observance — the
National Christmas Tree Lighting
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treasured tradition
-71
ceremony on the White House lawn — was
established.
What are the antique origins of . the
Christmas tree? In what ancient rituals,
observances and beliefs is the favorite
Christmas custom of trimming the tree in
fact rooted?
Historians point to a multitude of sources,
among them the Roman custom of decking
residences with evergreens during the
festival of the Kalends which occurred in the
early part of January.
Parallels between the Roman observation
of Kalends and the festivities traditional at
Christmas are many, and include those of
decorating the home with lights, extending
lavish hospitality to friends and family, and
extravagant gift -giving.
A Druidic custom which historians cite is
that of worshipping the spirit of vegetation
by worshipping the sacred tree, and the
spirit that resided within it. Generally,
Druids would adorn oak trees with candles
and golden apples, in conjunction with the
Winter Solstice, as seasonal observances
were off central importance to Druidic
religion.
Many early, Christian beliefs stand behind
the tradition of trimming a tree at
Christmas. For instance, it was,customary
for people to bring indoors during the
autumn, such flowering trees as hawthorn
or cherry, that they might bloom and bring
forth fruit on Christmas Eve.
This tradition may derive from the belief
that St. Joseph of Arimathea, settling at
Glastonbury in western England, planted
his staff in the earth, whereupon it became a
thorn tree and sprouted leaves. Further-
more, every Christmas eve, it miraculously
blossomed.
Another legend relates the Tree of
Knowledge which grew in the Garden of
Eden with the, Holy Cross. According to this
legend, when Adam was expelled from
Eden, he carried away with him a piece of
the Tree of Knowledge. From this grew the
tree from which the Cross was made.
December 24th, according to the old
Church calendar, was the Feast of Adam
and Eve, on which day it was traditional to
hang a fir tree with red apples. This
Paradise Tree, as it was called, is certainly
a forerunner of theiChristmas tree as we
know it.
There are some very prettystories
associated with both pine and fir trees,
. among the most popular choices for
Christmas trees. According to one legend,
the pine tree provided a hiding place for the
Holy Family when they were fleeing from
the soldiersof Herod.
For this, Christ blessed the pine, whose
cones, when split lengthwise, reyeal the
handprint of the baby Jesus.
The fir tree,. according to another legend,
boasted both flowers and fruits till Eve
discovered the tree and plucked its
treasures.
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