The tradition of decorating Christmas trees in a ceremony to protect against evil and to offer up prayers is said to have originated in Germany. Scholars believe the Christmas tree fuses aspects of Christianity with the German pre-Christian tradition of decorating evergreen conifers (especially Picea abies and fir trees) - which symbolize vitality - for the winter solstice and the New Year. Topped with a gleaming star heralding Christ's birth and with branches decorated with gold and silver lacing and cotton snow and lit with candles and light bulbs, Christmas trees add to the romance of Christmas Eve.
The tradition of decorating Christmas trees in a ceremony to protect against evil and to offer up prayers is said to have originated in Germany. Scholars believe the Christmas tree fuses aspects of Christianity with the German pre-Christian tradition of decorating evergreen conifers (especially Picea abies and fir trees) - which symbolize vitality - for the winter solstice and the New Year. Topped with a gleaming star heralding Christ's birth and with branches decorated with gold and silver lacing and cotton snow and lit with candles and light bulbs, Christmas trees add to the romance of Christmas Eve.