As this wonderful season returns, we’re taking a look at the origins of several of our Christmas traditions. Many of the holiday’s icons have been borrowed from nature, starting with our classic Christmas tree.
Christmas tree
The Christmas tree, an evergreen tree, often a pine, spruce, or fir, decorated with lights and ornaments is part of winter celebrations, especially at Christmas. Christmas trees come in many forms, they can be freshcut, potted, or artificial and are used as both indoor and outdoor decorations. Over the years the evergreen fir tree has become the traditional tree of choice for people to celebrate winter.
While Pagans used branches of fir trees to decorate their dwellings around the winter solstice as a symbol of the coming spring, Christians saw it as a sign of eternal life with God, and Romans used it to decorate their temples during the Saturnalia festival. Alternative Christmas trees were made from cherry or hawthorn trees in several parts of northern Europe. In the hopes that they might bloom around Christmas, the plants were moved indoors and placed in pots.
Using natural items from the garden or neighbouring wild patches instead of synthetic decorations, brings nature indoors. By foraging responsibly for twigs, pine cones, leaves, and ivy or holly springs, it is possible to create eco friendly Christmas decorations while preserving and respecting wildlife habitats.
Traditionally, the little twigs were used to create star-shaped decorations. Pine cones can be painted green to resemble a Christmas tree or joined in a garland. Simply slice dried oranges and bake them for a few hours at about 65 degrees (turning occasionally) to create a fragrant eye-catcher hanging over the mantelpiece.
The Norway Spruce (Picea Abies) is the ‘original’ Christmas tree, and commonly used because of its affordability. However, other varieties like the Silver fir (Abies Alba) or Nordmann Fir (Abies Nordmanniana) are also popular choices.
Spruce trees are identifiable by their single ungrouped needles which leave small distinct bumps on the twig when they fall off. Unlike the flat needles of a balsam, a single spruce needle will roll between your fingers. The needles on the twigs form a round bottle brush instead of a flat spray like a balsam. This characteristic makes spruce trees easy to differentiate from fir trees by touch.
In Christianity, the Christmas tree represents the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. People think of the tree’s branches and bushes as a sign of immortality because they look like Christ’s crown of thorns on the cross. Also, people believe that each ornament on the Christmas tree has a special meaning. Since ancient days, trees have been used to represent concepts of life, growth, wisdom, prosperity. In legends, poetry, literature and religion, they are often portrayed as sources of strength, wisdom, and connection to the divine and natural world. We
all know the symbolism behind an olive branch as a sign of peace and the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden represents wisdom, temptation and the human quest for knowledge.
Why do we put a Christmas tree?
It is said that Santa Claus brings gifts for children on Christmas Eve and places the gifts under the Christmas tree. To make this tradition more fun, people bring big trees and decorate them extensively so as to astonish Santa Claus. The Christmas tree is a nice place to gather around and unwrap the gifts, and has become a cherished family ritual.
The Christmas tree is a symbol of family, unity, warmth and togetherness during the holiday season, making it perfect for promoting good luck and positive energy during the festive season. It helps to have a living, potted Christmas tree to help boost this positive energy.
