Can we think of a Christmas without a Christmas tree? No we can't. It has become an indispensable part of Christmas celebration Christmas tree is regarded as one of the most dominant symbols of the Christmas celebration all over the world. The celebration is incomplete without a Christmas tree. The freshness and aroma of a real Christmas tree have been an integral part of the celebration. The preparation for the celebration usually begins with the selection of the tree and continues till the day of Christ. It is said that the Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 16th century. The very first trees were oak, the same tree used for the Yule Log. Trees have been a symbol of good luck since the Middle Ages. In Germany, whenever someone would build a house, a small evergreen tree would be nailed to the highest beam. Later on they started bringing those trees inside their home during the time of Christmas. It was common for the German people to decorate fir trees, inside and out, with roses, apples, and colored paper during the festive season. The Christmas tree was not widely used in Britain until the 19th century. The Pennsylvania Germans brought it to America in the 1820's. Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850. The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine.
According to legends, the Christmas tree is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. It is believed that on the night of His birth, all living creatures came to Bethlehem to greet him with gifts. The olive tree came along with its fruit and the palm with its date but the fir had nothing to gift the newborn king. So an angel, taking pity on the fir, commanded a cluster of stars to shine on its beautiful boughs. Baby Jesus smiled on seeing the lighted tree, and blessed it. That's why; the fir tree is always lighted with many decorations on it, to please little children during Christmas. It is also said that the triangular shape of the tree symbolizes the Trinity and points upwards towards the God. While the light, gift and decorations on the Christmas tree mean heaven; love and charity respectively. Even the decorations on the Christmas trees draw their root in traditional values. The crystal balls symbolizes the fruit of redemption, the electric light or the candles are ancient symbols that stand for the triumph of spring over the darkness of winter. The light also symbolizes the light that Jesus Christ cast upon the lives of the people. The Holy, when it flies down to earth, is believed to take the shape of a dove. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, while the bell symbolizes the joys of life.
