I wouldn't be doing Christmas justice if I didn't include the origin of the modern day Christmas tree as an entry in my fact or fiction series of posts. After all, what single symbol of the holiday expresses as much or delights more than the long-standing tradition of a beautifully decorated tree bedded with presents for those we hold dear.
When I first thought about it, I figured the tradition must have sprung from some logical activity. Could it be that presents were tucked away outside, placed in the care of giant evergreens that would shield them from the elements - where they'd be hidden from the searching eyes of our beloved children? Sounds like a reasonable origin for a tradition - but in this case that's not how it happened.
This tradition dates back to the pagan practice of ancient German tribes who stood before a mighty oak in worship of their god Thor. Saint Boniface is generally given credit to making it a Christian practice - he cut down the oak and when a fir grew up in its place, he preached to the heathen tribes to embrace the fir as the embodiment of Christ. His word took hold and so began the relationship between Christ and the evergreen in the Rhineland of Germany. The most interesting aspect of the tree at this time was that as the practice began to spread, it was normal to hang the tree upside-down from the ceiling. It wasn't until the early 1500s that Martin Luther gave rise to the tradition of placing the tree upright as we know it today. Later that same century, decorations found their way on to the tree (usually dates, nuts, apples, paper flowers...) primarily for the benefit and enjoyment of the children.
German immigrants are generally given credit for bringing the tradition over to the United States. A prisoner of German descent serving time in Windsor Locks, CT is given credit for having erected the first Christmas tree in America in 1777. August Imgard, living in Wooster, OH is said to have been the first to decorate the tree with candy canes. Whoever deserves the credit... I'm sure we can all agree that it's one of the fondest and most lasting traditions to ever grace the home.
Now that you have the account, it's up to you to decide. What is fact and what is fiction? Until next time, be wary of needles. J/W
