Why Evergreen Trees at Christmas?

Why do we decorate evergreen trees at Christmas?

The tradition began in Germany and the evergreen represents eternal life as it stays green all year. We place candles or lights now, to represent that Christ is the light of the world. We place a star on top to remember the star in the east, or an angel to represent the angel that appeared to the shepherds with 'Good News to all men'.

People also hang greenery around the house, such as holly and ivy.

The needle-like points of holly leaves are thought to resemble the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when He was crucified.

The red berries symbolize the drops of blood Jesus shed.

During the Victorian times, Christmas trees were decorated with candles to remind children of the stars in the sky at the time of the birth of Jesus. Using candles was, of course, a great fire hazard.[I wrote about this before, in my post The History of the Christmas Tree.]

Today, candles have been replaced by little colored electric lights, more a reminder of the circus than the sacred symbolization of the 'Light of the World'.

Christmas trees were also decorated with sweets and cakes hung with ribbon. In 1880, Woolworths first sold manufactured Christmas tree ornaments which proved to be very popular.

Seems a shame so many have decided to forgo shopping for 'the perfect' live tree, and have decided, instead, to opt for the fake tree.

2011 Christian Nature