Where did the Christmas tree originate from, and why do we still put them up?
According to History.com, the famous tradition originated in Germany. Seemingly, the Christmas tree was seen as Christian symbolism, but it has been taken by most as an annual part of Christmas.
The original Christmas tree, originating in Germany, was a fir tree used in one of the famous plays about Adam and Eve. It was decorated with apples and made to represent the “paradise tree” in the Garden of Eden. Christians in Germany began to set up this “paradise tree” in their homes on December 24th, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. They would often decorate it with wafers, cookies, and other things that they assigned symbolism to.
It is also believed that Martin Luther was the first to add candles/light to the tree. While England didn’t fully adopt the tradition until the late 1900s, America’s first Christmas trees are dated back to the 1700s, being popularized by German settlers. Now the tree is popular in most places, including Japan and China.
While it no longer just has the symbolism of the “paradise tree”, it is still seen as an important part of Christmas, by many, that brings family together with gifts under it and its light illuminating the room.