Post by Zadkiel on Jan 22, 2016 16:41:19 GMT
Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries, it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits and illness.
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th Century, when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes and added candles. Until about 1700, the use of Christmas trees appears to have been confined to the Rhine River District, though. After that, the Christmas tree was well on its way to becoming a Christian tradition in Germany, before it crossed the Atlantic with Hessian soldiers.
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th Century, when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes and added candles. Until about 1700, the use of Christmas trees appears to have been confined to the Rhine River District, though. After that, the Christmas tree was well on its way to becoming a Christian tradition in Germany, before it crossed the Atlantic with Hessian soldiers.
