The story of the Christmas Tree.

I thought I would write about the Christmas tree. We are all either putting them up, thinking about it or rejecting the idea, but the thing is they are a fact of life at this time of year. Why do we have a decorated Christmas tree? The following is what I read up on earlier today.

It seems the story begins around the 7th century when a Monk from Crediton in Devon went to Germany to teach the word of God. Legend has it that he used the triangular form of the Christmas tree to describe the Holy Trinity. God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

In Europe in the 12th century, on Christmas day, the Christmas tree was installed upside down, hanging down from the ceiling! At the middle of the 16th century, in Germany, Christmas trees appeared for sale in the markets, these markets also specialised in selling presents for Christmas, usually food or objects of practical use.

Much later in 1846 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who was born in Germany, appear in 'Illustrated London News' along with their children , all around a Christmas tree. The popularity of the Royal family meant that this custom spread very quickly among the people. The Christmas tree became fashionable, not only in Britain but also on the eastern coast of America. Decorations were usually handmade then. Young ladies spent hours cutting paper snowflakes and stars and making paper supports for sweets/candy.


In 1882 the electric light bulb is invented and in 1892 is adapted for the Christmas tree. So, we get to our present tree that combines all the elements presented above in the most ingenious and creative mixture.

I have to confess that putting my tree up yesterday, I had the most serious attack of disinterest half way through. I had to force myself to finish it, but I did and I am glad now that I persevered, especially after reading this potted history earlier on, I was sort of glad I kept up the tradition.