Somewhere amid the colored lights and tinsel typically found on a christmas tree is an age-old tradition. The significance of the christmas tree as a religious symbol tied to the birth of the baby Jesus, actually got its start as a more pagan symbol that honored the winter solstice and the changing of the seasons. Rather than christmas trees as we know them, many cultures of the time displayed plants that remained green during the cold winter months. Pine and evergreen saplings among them.
The winter solstice generally falls on December 21st and 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. Is it coincidence that those days evolved into December 25th as the celebration of the Christ-child? That's an argument for theologians to settle. What is known is that the European tradition of displaying a christmas tree in the home was on the rise, and was well on its way to being a re-occurring tradition. Legend even has it that Martin Luther -- religious martyr of the 16th century - was the first to start hanging "lights" on a Christmas tree in the home. In this case, the lights were candles. Inspired by the spectacle of seeing thousands of shining stars in the heavens on a clear night, Luther tried to replicate the scene as best he could with the materials he had at hand. And with that, small lit candles became the precursor of electric Christmas lights.
It comes as no surprise that in the 21st century the significance of the Christmas tree has become lost amid its more commercial aspects. In short, Christmas trees are big business. Tree farmers are constantly putting new saplings in the ground with the knowledge that they'll be ready 8 or 10 years down the road. Considering the time it takes to grow and mature, Christmas trees of the current holiday season were probably grown back in the mid-1990's or even earlier.
When it comes to a christmas tree, nothing is perhaps more commercial than a Christmas tree store. The life cycle of a Christmas tree store may only last from November to January, but during those months, the Christmas tree store caters to every shoppers need in terms of decorating a Christmas tree. Lights, tinsel, ornaments and candles. The list goes on and on. And with it the sounds of laughter, as store owners laugh all the way to the bank.
Fortunately, Westerners have become a little more ecologically aware over the years. And they have finally clued in that our natural resources - the Christmas tree among them - are not quick consumable items. It takes years to nurture a tree. Many families have adopted the practice of celebrating with an outdoor Christmas tree. In this way, the tree doesn't get cut down, only the dry up and be used as fire wood or just thrown with the morning garbage. An outdoor Christmas tree is an intelligent demonstration of being respectful to the earth and its resources.
Artificial trees take conservation one step further. The price of the tree will pay itself back quickly as the artificial Christmas tree is used over and over again. And some artificial trees actually look better than the "real thing".
Whatever and however people choose to use them, the christmas tree is a part of our culture that will not be going away any time soon! Happy Holidays everyone!