The Long, Strange History of the Christmas Tree
December 23, 2012, 8:08 AM
Trees may bear blossoms, fruits, or pinecones, or the weight of birds and squirrels, or just plain snow. They are not normally found in houses, nor are they decorated with candles, straw stars, tinsel, or glass balls. And most trees have roots that stretch deep into the ground beneath. But the Christmas or Holiday tree as we know it today usually has only its crown and trunk – and its place is in the home. It has developed a life of its own, and there is an entire ritual surrounding it.
Is it really just a pagan remnant – as common mythology has it? What can account for the imaginative combination of natural and cultural elements, for our splendid Christmas tree? It seems like different traditions came together: Wood has been used for thousands of years in celebrations of the winter solstice in northern Europe. To honor the gods, it was set alight to scare away the spirits. And mid-winter greenery was thought to radiate and summon life force and fertility, to keep harm at bay. The custom of celebrating the changing year with greenery was already known among the Romans, who used bay branches. Some of the objects used as tree decorations have long been found in the context of Christmas. For instance, in the 10th century it was common in the German lands for children to give apples as presents at Christmas time – a custom that soon also included other foodstuffs such as bread and cheese.
The solstice evergreen, a freestanding tree usually found next to the village well, was much loved in Northern and Central Europe. It was freed of its bark and branches, while leaving the treetop. Sometimes this was later replaced by a new treetop and the tree was then decorated with string, small figures, and blown eggs. This tree had an established place in the life of the community – the girls of the village formed a round dance, singing and dancing around it.
https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/12/23/the-long-strange-history-of-the-christmas-tree/?mod=e2tw