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A Timeless
Tradition
The Christmas tree has undergone many tremendous transformations over the years.
The unique blend of culture, religion and folklore brought to America by immigrants
has influenced many variations of this holiday icon. Yet despite all the changes
in appearance, no other emblem captures the spirit of the season quite like
the Christmas tree.
A Symbol
of Hope Ancient
Origins New Meanings
While both stories are considered to be more legend than fact, the
Christmas tree tradition does have its historic roots in Germany. The first
documented account of a Christmas tree in Germany was roughly 60 years after
the death of Martin Luther at the turn of the 16th Century. At that time, the
trees were called "Paradeisbaum" or paradise trees. They were brought into German
homes to celebrate the annual Feast of Adam and Eve that took place on December
24th. As lights became a normal part of the decorations, the yuletide tree became
a tradition throughout Germany. Although Germany played the primary role in establishing the Christmas
tree as a symbol of holiday celebrations, other European countries also helped
popularize the Christmas tree tradition. By the mid-1800's, royalty in both
France and England had adopted the practice of decorating a tree, using candles,
fruit, gingerbread and sweets to adorn the branches. The reaction to this custom
was fairly quick and positive. In a short time, decorated trees spread throughout
the English-speaking world. The American
Tradition Once again, the sophistication of Christmas tree underwent a significant
change. American patents for electric lights and the development of metal hooks
for the hanging of ornaments profoundly affected the look of the traditional
tree. Finally, the Christmas tree took on a uniquely American characterization
with the advent of the first national Christmas tree lighting ceremony on The
White House lawn in 1923. Since 1966, various national organizations have continued
to present a fresh Christmas tree to the President and first family. The tree
is displayed each year in the Blue Room of the White House. Variations
on a Theme Some unique immigrant traditions are a result of geography. Certain
countries whose climate is temperate in December have developed practices that
are unrelated to the use of an evergreen tree. Instead, as in the case of Ghana,
families decorate either a mango, guava or cashew tree. In New Zealand, the
Christmas tree is called Pohutokawa. Its flowers are a bright scarlet all through
the Christmas season. In Australia, families use jacaranda blossoms to decorate
their trees or else use a native plant called the Christmas Bush as their tree.
Philippine families usually take a leafless branch and paint it white and cover
it with strips of green paper, to which they add ornaments, glitter, and fluffed
cotton to give the appearance of snow. Folklore and myth also continue to play a role for certain nationalities.
People of Norse descent celebrate the arrival of Julesvenn, a magical figure
who hides gifts around the house. This has evolved into a group of gnomes called
Julnissen who bring gifts to children. Christmas tree ornaments are fashioned
after the likenesses of the figures. A very popular Christmas tree ornament
made of straw is a Julebukk, named for the goat that drew the cart of Thor,
the god of thunder in Norse mythology. Elsewhere, Polish children use handmade garlands and honey cookies,
as well as crepe paper to dress the tree in bright colors. Greek children use
ornaments of metal triangles and clay drums, as well as special, small clay
representations of christopsomo, the Christ Bread that is prepared for the Christmas
meal. In Romania, a large wooden star called a Steaua is covered with shiny
paper, decorated with bells and colored ribbon and sometimes placed on top of
the Christmas tree.
Throughout the ages, the Christmas tree has been a symbol of hope and prosperity
for the coming year. While some people view the Christmas tree as merely a decoration,
the meaning behind this traditional holiday icon is much more profound. The use
of a tree to celebrate the winter season is a combination of ancient myths and
religious devotion brought to America by immigrants.
The practice of using a tree during the month of December is a ritual dating back
to ancient Egypt, when Pharaohs would bring green palm leaves into their homes
during the winter solstice to ensure the coming of spring. The first known practice
of decorating an evergreen tree occurred in the early days of Greek civilization
during winter rituals worshipping the god, Adonia. In ancient Rome, patrician
families decorated evergreen trees with candles, bits of metal and trinkets during
the Saturnalia to honor the goddess of agriculture, Ceres. 
There are a number of legends surrounding the emergence of the Christmas tree
as an icon important to Christianity. One popular myth emerged early in the
8th Century, telling of how St. Boniface felled a deciduous oak tree - a symbol
of great significance to early pagan societies in Europe. According to the tale,
after St. Boniface cut down the tree, it split into four pieces, revealing a
small evergreen growing from the center of the stump. Another story tells of
Martin Luther cutting down a small fir tree, taking it home, and placing lighted
candles on it to celebrate the Christmas holy time.
As holiday traditions began to vary in Europe, the use of Christmas trees remained
a custom that most countries shared. The most likely influence of the Christmas
tree tradition in America came from German immigrants at the end of the 17th
Century. Still, it took nearly 50 years from that point, for the tradition to
become a popular practice in American society.
The American version of the Christmas tree has become unique in a number of
ways, primarily due to the wide variety of traditions that immigrants have incorporated
in its representation. Indeed, immigration has always prompted a change in rituals
and customs, especially Christmas traditions.