Christmas Tree

Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. In India, from time immemorial, people hung green mango, neem leaves over their doors and windows on every occasion with the faith and belief that such an act will bring in auspiciousness, good vibes and keep away ill feelings and hatred. This became a part of their way of living and practiced even today.

Now let us refresh our memory on the tradition of setting up Christmas tree. Here is an extract from https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees

“Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier……”

With the advent of technology, in modern days we see see plastics, glasses, electrical gadgets taking over the decorating roles.

The fact remains that setting up the tree and decorating it (lighting up as per today’s norm) is a joyous occasion for the family. Here are some pictures of the Christmas Tree at our home.