Why have a Christmas tree?

Answer 1

The Christmas tree is part of a long tradition that evergreen trees represent the continuous nature of life, even in the cold of winter. The Germans were among the earliest Christians to adopt the use of decorated trees.

The History of Christmas Trees

Saint Boniface, who lived around 600-700 AD near the town of Geismar, Germany, cut down an old oak tree which was presumed to be the symbol of the Norse god, Thor, to better establish the Christian church in that area. Boniface found a little fir tree growing in the roots of that old oak, and thought that it must represent Christianity, as it survived while Thor's oak tree died. The tradition of using a Christmas tree to represent one's Christian beliefs became popular, but was not then associated with Christmas.

Jump ahead to the 16th century. Martin Luther, being aware of this old tale about the fir tree, began the Protestant tradition of using the fir tree to symbolize the Nativity, just to mark it as a different symbol than what the Roman Catholics were using. This usage became very popular among Christians, and continues in some areas of the world. In the US, we continue the tradition, but have mostly forgotten the meaning. Traditionally, there is a star placed on the tip-top of the Christmas tree to remind people of the birth star of Jesus.

The sparkly Christmas tree lights continue the tradition of the star.

The presents that we give to each other symbolize the birthday of Jesus, in the same way that we celebrate each other's birthdays with gifts.

Answer 2

We put up a Christmas tree at Christmas because in the Victorian ages when Christmas came the Victorians decided to put up a tree at Christmas and they all so decided to eat turkey at Christmas as well! so if the Victorians didn't decide to put up a Christmas tree we wouldn't have trees up now!

Answer 3

A monk went to Germany to evangelize and he used a fir tree to symbolise the Holy Trinity.
Later in 1535 in Latvia a man called martin Luther decorated a tree with candles to show children about stars and how Jesus was the light of the world.
Christmas also made a business opportunity for German traders. They sold things like sweets and decorations as well as more practical things like very sharp knives to carve the Christmas goose!

Tinsel was invented around 1610 in Germany and was always silver they even invented a machine to pull them into strips! coloured tinsel was first used in the mid 20th century.

Christmas trees first came to England during Queen Victoria's reign when her German consort husband Prince Albert brought with him some Christmas traditions from Germany, of which the most notable was the Christmas tree.


The Christmas tree, like Christmas itself, probably has pagan origins.

Answer 4

Having a Christmas tree has a lot to do with tradition and personal choice.

Decorating a Christmas tree started as a German tradition. The tree began as a way to give gifts to apprentices and children of guildhall members. The tree was decorated with sweets which the children and apprentices then removed on Christmas Day. Christians then brought the trees into their homes and then the Christmas Tree tradition spread to other countries.

Another custom was that evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands symbolized eternal life for the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews.

The Scandanavian custom of decorating with evergreens at the new year was to scare away the devil.

Answer 5

A Christmas tree is one of the most recognized symbols of Christmas in your home. Today, people to decorate Christmas tree with ornaments which have significant meaning to their lives. The Christmas tree is also a landmark for Santa to leave his gift.

Answer 6

The tree has a long history. Ancient Celtics saw the tree as special since it was the only green living thing in their world of snow. They considered winter as death, but the tree lived. They brought it in during the Winter Solstice. When the Catholic Church began to convert the Celts they used the tree to explain the trinity. There are 3 points to an evergreen tree. Later, in Germany they began to decorate the tree and the Christmas tree we know was born. When German immigrants came to the colonies they brought with them the tree.. It has changed through the years and we have lost the original purpose of it, but it still continues as a popular item.

Answer 7

Because it symbolizes the ever green tree with Jesus its the same as him he will always be pure and holy just as a ever green will always be green.

Answer 8

Because we are cool like that! ;)