What is the reason for Christmas trees at Christmas?

uberadeel

I believe it stems from a pagan tradition. As missionaries wandered into the Pagan wildernesses of what is now France and Germany they found people who celebrated the winter solstice. These Pagans believed that as the days got shorter the sun was going away, and if it did not come back, all of humanity would die. So out into the forest they would go in search of the largest living things they could find. The largest living thing was an evergreen tree, proof that life still existed even in the dark of winter. In addition to the great tree, the celebration to bring back the sun involved getting as much light as possible. So, a large fire burned non-stop while torches lit the homes of the Pagans, and the living evergreens were decorated with lights to woo the sun back into existence. http://ms.essortment.com/historyofchris_rlhb.htm Oct 19 02, 4:56 PM

Tabby Tom

There are a number of different explanations, any or all of which may be true. The following web pages summarize them: http://users.rcn.com/tlclcms/chrtree.htm http://www4.airnet.ne.jp/yasuharu/Calgary/christmas/why/customs_trees.html Oct 19 02, 4:57 PM

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Which country was the first to decorate Christmas trees? Why do we put up Christmas trees when it is Christmas? What do children in India decorate instead of Christmas trees? What two states produce the greatest number of Christmas Trees?

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