Why is the Christmas tree a Christmas symbol?

Answer 1

Many people believe the Christmas tree tradition to be relatively new, brought from Germany by Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria. However the fir trees' relationship to Christianity goes much further back to the days of St.Boniface over a 1000 yrs ago. It is said that St.Bonifice, who converted the Germans to Christianity, came across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree and became so angry that he cut it down. He was amazed as from beneath its roots a small fir tree began to grow, and he took it as a sign of Christianity. However it wasn't until the 16th century the trees were brought inside.

Answer 2

Christmas trees are in some ways the least Christian of Christmas customs. they are at best basal nature worship > The popular song O Tannenbaum is not even Christian. I have analyzed the lyrics- it is in a sense, as mentioned before a pagan nature worship thing- and the Tree as some sort of immortality symbol- if so- why cut it down. Christmas trees pose a humungous waste-disposal problem. the trees have no utility value in the Tannenbaum role- as contrasted with books, gift wrap ( which can be recycled-easily) cardboard boxes ( which can be resused) all wood-paper products also furniture which, barring accidents and fires, has an indefinite service life. not so the Christmas trees. The Germanic Tannenbaum was introduced into England by Prince Albert in Victorian times. Dickens, curiously referred to it as a( Pretty German toy) a toy, by the way with zero play value... who needs it. Wisely some churches have phased out- or at least toned down this holiday custom which is not really Christian.

Martin Luther said that the Christmas tree was a symbol of the Tree of Life in the Garden of eden.

Answer 3

Historical accident. The custom is full-blown Pagan nature worship, originated in Germany, and was transplanted- no pun intended , by Prince Albert ( Victoria"s husband) in about l85l. Originally NOT that popular in England, Dickens, he of Scrooge authorship- referred to the Tannenbaum derisively as a ( Pretty German Toy) it is not a toy but a reckless wastage of Natural Resources- and in this day of environmental concerns, one of the least Green of Christmas customs, the color of the greenery notwithstanding! Christmas trees are also a grave fire hazard with no easy cures- often the very mass of the tree ignites, becomes extremely unstable, and may fall over and block exit routes- who needs tragic fires at any time? Tell you the truth, another negative angle is taking the emphasis off the Religious side=which should be the Basis of the Birth of Christ"s Mass- Christmas. I knew a family that had almost zero religious affiliations and practices- they had, every year Christmas Trees ( sometimes more than one), Santa Claus posters or plaques, wreaths, all the secular trimmings- and guess what- No Crib or even Religious calendar- such as the famed Advent calendars. The family seemed hostile to Religion, the kids did not go to church. An odd fact was the youngster was a devout Santa Claus believer and went ape-like when he found out it was a myth. sick family- yet they were affable, friendly people. They also had something against pets.

Answer 4

What we call the Christmas tree actually has a much older history that predates Christianity. It evolved as a Christmas tradition from an earlier association with Solstice celebrations.

Ancient Egyptians celebrating the Solstice brought trees and boughs in to celebrate the triumph of life over death. It has been said that King Tut would recognize the tradition of bringing in the Christmas tree. Ancient Scandinavians paid homage to fir trees. There is an ancient pagan tradition of bringing in boughs in the area we now know as Germany. The ancient Druids used evergreens during their Solstice ceremonies. The worship of trees stretches far beyond our earliest recorded history.

The Christian association with the Christmas tree is said to have been started by St. Boniface almost 1,000 years ago when he came across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. He is said to have cut down the tree in anger and a fir tree sprung up in its place. Although that story is viewed as a sign of Christian faith it could just as well be viewed as a sign of pagan strength since their tree sprung back to life when someone tried to destroy it. Such is the reality of many Christian stories and traditions that find their true roots in paganism.

Answer 5

Christmas trees are a symbol of Christmas, because when these certain trees are seen, the brain usually links them to Christmas, because the brain has been told that that type of tree is refereed to as a 'Christmas Tree'. I hope i answered you question the way you meant it to be. sorry if i didn't, but i tried my best. Thx for reading my answer! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

;-)

Answer 6

The attention and honor paid to trees predates the Christian era. Many ancient cultures brought greenery into their dwellings at the time of Solstice celebrations.

Ancient Egyptians celebrating the Solstice brought trees and boughs in to celebrate the triumph of life over death. It has been said that King Tut would recognize the tradition of bringing in the “Christmas" tree. Ancient Scandinavians paid homage to fir trees. There is an ancient pagan tradition of bringing in boughs in Winter in the area we now know as Germany. The ancient Druids used evergreens during their Solstice ceremonies. The worship of trees stretches far beyond our earliest recorded history.

The association of evergreen trees with Christmas is a chapter in the practice of attaching traditional pagan celebrations to more modern religious holy days in the attempt to stamp out paganism.