12/25/2019
Merry Christmas! Many celebrate with an evergreen Christmas tree but why? What's the meaning and history of the Christmas tree? In the Northern Hemisphere, the shortest day and longest night of each year, the winder solstice, falls on DEC 21 or 22. It seems evergreens were originally used next to doorways, in courtyards and inside homes to remind the dwellers of the new green growth that would come again after the barren, dark winder. Evergreens celebrated new life and hope for a return of spring and all it's bounty. One legend, about the very first lighted Christmas tree, dates back to the 16th century; it's said that a preacher named Martin Luther was walking home through the woods one night and was awestruck by the stars lighting the evergreens around him. He lighted the evergreen tree in his home with candles to share the same wonder with his family. The jump from "wintertime decor" to a Christmas symbol may have happened thanks to nativity plays. Plays often included festively decorated evergreen trees. Some plays became too boisterous and thus were banned for a time in the 16th century. It's thought that during this ban, home owners took it upon themselves to decorate their in-home evergreen trees, and it stuck. The tradition became widespread and even churches began erecting decorated Christmas trees. Trees were adorned with apples, nuts, and handmade paper shapes. Soon sweets were added including strings of gingerbread, cinnamon sticks, popcorn, berries and dates. Today the lighted Christmas tree symbolizes G-d's triumph over darkness and life everlasting.