When we talk of Christmas tree, the majority of us think of the December holidays, right? In my opinion, Yes! As a matter of fact, Christmas tree is a common custom in the present day to most of us. But, there are several interesting facts pointing to its origin. For instance, the Victorian nostalgia, early Christian practices, the Roman, and Egyptian practices.
Although all these might have some facts, most polymaths point German as being the dawn of this tree. The anecdote about Saint Boniface in 722 is one relating Christmas tree back to Germany. In this year, the Saint ran into some pagans who wanted to sacrifice a child at the base of an oak tree. He prescribed the oblation to take place by cutting down the oak tree.
Later on, the Fir tree grew at the same spot where the oak had been demolished. The Saint then told everyone that the lovely evergreen tree (Fir tree), is a holy tree because it had its branches pointing to heaven. Besides, he said the tree was of Christ child and an allegory of his covenant of eternal life.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made the Christmas tree spiffy in England in 1840s and 50s. Prince Albert festooned a tree and since then, the English ape the Christmas custom because of their love for the Queen. At the same time, an impression of the Royal Family celebrating Christmas at the Windsor was published in 1848 and German traditions were plagiarized and refashioned.
Another narrative that substantiates the origin of Christmas tree states that during the Middle Ages, the Scandinavians and Germans used to place evergreen trees outside their doors or inside their homes. This epitomized that spring would come before long.
Various culture custom researchers show that greenery was brought into homes during the winter solstice. For this reason, it personified life in the nub of the death of many cultures. For example, during the old German festive of Yule, living trees were brought into homes. Yule festivities were a two-month celebration starting November. However, there is no undeviating attestation that Christmas tree is a progeny of Yule tree.
At this point, the only thing you need to know is that whatever legend you wish to pass on, keep in mind Christmas is the time to memorialize the birth of Jesus. And, the origin of the Christmas tree whether is from German, England, or Rome, can’t change the fact.