![]() ![]() ![]() It’s possible Martin Luther was the first to put lighted candles on the tree. ![]() By then, Germans were decorating firs indoors and out, with paper ornaments, apples, wafers, gilt and sugar. The survival of the little tree was quickly declared a miracle by Boniface, who said “Henceforth, the fir is the tree of the Christ child.” As it fell, it killed every bush and tree in its path except for a small fir. Saint Boniface chopped down a tall oak to prove to the Druids that their oak trees were not sacred and protected. Most sources agree that the custom of bringing a live tree into the house at Christmas began in Germany, early in the eighth century. The date was confirmed for good by Roman Emperor Constantine, when he was baptised – uniting church and emperorship.Įarly Christmas trees were not decorated. He says the Christian Church chose December 25, hoping to eclipse the December 25 holy day of its main rival, Mithraism. Like a snowball rolling downhill, important holidays gather customs over the years, some of which stick and become important parts of the festival.Ĭharles Panati reminds us in his book, “Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things”, that no one has ever known on what day Jesus was born. ![]()
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