The Origin of the Christmas Tree
Have you ever wondered why we decorate a tree for Christmas? What sense does it make? We cut down a perfectly good tree, bring it in the house, decorate it with glass balls, twinkle lights, embarrassing arts and crafts from our youth and put a big star on top - why? No one knows for sure. But the Christmas tree does have a long, if not mythological, history. Get beyond the commercialism and secular nature Christmas has become and get down to the symbolism Christmas trees represent and you will get closer to the actual truth. The fir tree, the first tree widely used throughout Europe as a Christmas tree, was originally chopped down and placed indoors in an effort to promote good cheer and hope. When everything else on the horizon is dead and covered with mountains of snow, the Evergreen color reminded us of good things to come?the rebirth of the Earth at springtime. In 1882 however, Thomas Edison's assistant decided to use his boss's invention to add a more "twinkly" effect to the Christmas tree - lights that ran on electricity. This innovation made outdoor Christmas lights possible as far back as the early 1900s. And don't you just know, even then, there was that one annoying neighbor down the street who refused to take his Christmas lights down until long past Easter. But what about the tradition of the ornaments we decorated the tree with? You know what I am talking about... all the little doodads, candy canes, and the embarrassing arts and crafts your parents "insist" on putting on the tree every year - where did that tradition originate. Simple - all of those ornaments morphed from eight distinct decorations.
- The Star - symbolically means, "The shining hope for all mankind."
- The color red - red is used not just on trees, but also on nearly every other piece of Christmas decoration to come down the pike since the beginning of time. Red symbolizes Jesus Christ's sacrifice for all.
- The Fir Tree - green, the second color of Christmas symbolizing everlasting light and life. The needles point up to Heaven.
- The Bell - actually symbolizes the ringing of a bell more than the bell itself. The bell rings out to guide lost sheep back home.
- The Candle (and later electric lights) - symbolizes our thanks to the star of Bethlehem.
- The Bow - is tied as we should all be tied together in the bonds of goodwill forever.
- The Candy Cane - symbolizes the shape of the Shepard's crook, used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.
- The Wreath - symbolizes everlasting love with no beginning and no end.
But that still doesn't explain the embarrassing decorations we are forced to look at year in and year out. Where did that tradition come from? Simple - parents have been embarrassing their kids for generations - why should Christmas be any different. Allen Shaw is a successful author who provides information on Christmas and Christmas trees. "I am the news director at USA News Network and have been working as freelance writer for 2 years. I've been published in a few magazines, newspapers and websites and my specialty up to this point has been movie and music reviews."
Related News
'WALL-E' to be home for the holidays - Hollywood Reporter
28 Aug, 2008 - Where to ski in the October half-term holidays? - Ifyouski.com
No need for summer holidays to drag in Tonypandy - WalesOnline
No need for summer holidays to drag in TonypandyWalesOnline, United Kingdom -21 hours agoThe scheme is an exciting way for local children to improve their summer holidays with fun activities. Launched in a bid to embrace community and education, ... |
Great Mills Pool Discounts on School Holidays - Bay Net
Engaging Loveland seeks logo creation for the holidays - ReporterHerald.com
Builders' holidays are all over - Irish Times
Builders' holidays are all overIrish Times, Ireland -Aug 26, 2008VOX POP: THE BUILDERS' holidays have turned out to be more "staycation" than vacation this year. For many construction workers and tradespeople, ... |
Travel insurance essential for holidays at all destinations - asap News
Labor Day evolves through the years - Basehor Sentinel
Labor Day evolves through the yearsBasehor Sentinel, KS -7 hours agoBy Clausie Smith Of all our holidays, Labor Day has probably changed the most over the decades. In fact, I wonder if the early proponents would recognize ... |
Tourists from Romania Prefer Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey for the ... - Balkan Travellers
Last Call: Holidays and other celebrations are naturally high-spirited - Anchorage Daily News (subscription)
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Getting Great Pictures of the Kids this Halloween
There she was in all her glory. Long white lab coat, frizzy hair, safety goggles -- and a face smeared with the black ash of an experiment gone terrifically wrong. She was, at least on this Halloween night, Dr. Abby Normal. But for most of her life I had known her as Abigail, my daughter, and I had just taken some of the most legendary photos of her life.
Experience Mothers Day In A Whole New Way
Mother's Day is the day when sons, daughters and husbands buy gifts and flowers to recognize the incredible work mom has done raising the children. But some moms are unknowingly cheating themselves out of the full experience of Mother's Day. Many moms treat Mother's Day as a completely external experience when Mother's Day could be about so much more than just the well-deserved flowers and gifts.
Just Gifts & Flowers May Not Make Mother's Day Special
All the gifts and flowers in the world will not make Mother's Day special unless you, Mom, are making Mother's Day a truly special day. Make this Mother's Day a truly special Mother's Day by recapturing that wonderful feeling of anticipation you felt before your child's birth and that incredible feeling of elation you felt when your child was born. Embrace the feelings you felt when you held your baby for the first time. And then reflect upon the special moments you felt as your child developed into the wonderful son or daughter you have today. Do you feel that welling up of emotion when you think about your child in this way? Feels good; doesn't it?
Make This Mother's Day Special by Sharing Your Feelings
Now that you have these special feelings on Mother's Day, share them with your child. If your child lives too far away to visit, then experience these memories and feelings as you speak with your child on the phone. If your child is close enough to visit, then recapture these feelings while you are with them. Tell your child how you felt as you prepared for their arrival and how you felt on that incredible day when they were born. Then tell your child about the special childhood memories you cherish and why those memories are so special to you. End the conversation by telling your child how much you love who they have become and how they have made your life so much more complete.
This Mother's Day Will Have More Meaning When You Share Your Feelings
By experiencing Mother's Day in this way, you may feel you are doing all the work when this day is supposed to be the day you don't lift a finger. But experiencing Mother's Day in this way will give back far more than you give. You will feel so alive this Mother's Day that the gifts and flowers will have more meaning for you and your children. You will remember what is important in life. You will make this Mother's Day a truly special Mother's Day by experiencing it both inside and out.
Thanksgiving
I was not planning to write this article. Instead, I was going to publish an article about integrity. It has been on my mind this last week and I was planning to share some thoughts about it. Then, I received an email from Jim Donovan, one of the regular contributors to my Prosperity Paradigm eZine, and it inspired me to write once again about the magical power of gratitude.
Christmas Gifts For Dog Lovers
Let's admit it, the US and UK are both countries of dog lovers, and dog owners love to indulge their dogs like children. You only have to listen to a dog owner call out to their dog, playing in the park or field, to realise how devoted they can be. Being devoted, dog lovers, and their friends, like to give dog gifts.
Creative And Inexpensive Gift Ideas
I have a friend who works at a loan company. She starts getting busy around August -- because her offices are flooded with people taking out loans for their holiday shopping. And she stays busy well into the new year -- because a huge percentage of those people default on their loans. Why do we feel compelled to go so deeply in DEBT buying gifts? It seems as though every year the bar is raised -- we are expected to spend more and more.
Gift of the Month Clubs: The Lazy Mans Guide to Gift Giving
If you are like me and are a very lousy shopper and always end up getting everyone the wrong gift at Christmas time, think about a Gift-of-the-Month Club. G.O.M Clubs have all the things the lazy gift giver requires: Ease of purchase, no shopping at the dreaded mall and an almost guaranteed positive response accompanied by a monthly "At-A-Boy" from the recipient. And there are plenty of clubs to choose from for everyone on your gift-giving list.
Romance on a Budget
Valentine's Day is often synonymous with lush velvety looking red
roses and spending big bucks on your sweetie. You're blinded by
advertisements touting the latest luxury jewelry, over-priced flowers, and exquisite five star dining. You can sometimes feel pressure from this single day that is supposed to symbolize and convey your emotion of love to your sweetheart. Expressing your love can be shown with frugal abundance and still create heartfelt memories.
Children?s Birthday Party Locations and Ideas
While most children's birthday parties are held at home, you may want to consider an offsite location.
Where Have All The Wise Men Gone? Jesus Is Not Acceptable For Christmas!
It's CHRISTmas!
Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating
You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids shout gleefully... "let's decorate!" ... in anticipation of the coming holiday. The "let's not" is miraculously not permitted to escape your lips. Instead you take a deep breath while you wonder about how this decorating could become an easier and more fun-filled activity.
Celebrate Parks Day, Everyday this Summer!
Canada's Parks Day falls on July 16'th this year. First
celebrated in 1990, Parks Day is an opportunity for
individuals to participate in hundreds of unique and fun
events taking place in sites from coast to coast. Events are
organized in national parks, national historic sites,
provincial parks, and territorial parks, as well as in
community and regional parks across the country.
The Magic Of Gift Giving At Christmas
Regardless of age, almost everyone can remember at least a few magic moments of their past at Christmas time. Even in our fifties and sixties, we can still very precisely recall how our parents celebrated Christmas. Those moments will never be forgotten because to all of us, Christmas is a very special time for our immediate families to be together. It is also human nature for us to pass along our family traditions to the next generation. It is without question, the most popular time of the year to show our appreciation for one another.
10 Stress Free Tips to Pamper Mom This Mothers Day
Mothers Day is the day we set aside each year to show appreciation to our own mother and to the mothers in our lives that we love. Traditionally Mothers Day is the big "Flowers and Chocolate" day. While most moms do enjoy lovely flowers and chocolate, below are some ways that we can pamper mom with gifts and activities that she will remember for years to come.
7 Tips on Giving Chocolates to Your Valentine
Every year millions of people exchange chocolates on February 14th for Valentine's Day. This trend has grown very popular in recent times, especially with the rise of quality chocolates (...and the number of chocoholics). Still, even in these modern times there are a few things you need to consider before you run out and grab a chocolate gift.
Successful Holiday Gift Giving Starts with a Plan
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the clock is ticking down as we grow closer to the holiday festivities. By now, many have either started thinking about what they are going to purchase for those on their gift list ? others are in full holiday shopping mode. The holiday season proves to be a stressful time for some, adding to their already tension-filled lives. Buying gifts is only half of the dilemma ? deciding what to buy makes up the other half.
A Harvest Halloween
To take advantage of the last days of autumn, we planned an outdoor Halloween party at our family farm. This gave us an opportunity to bring our friends together in an informal setting before the hectic holiday season.
Online UK Florist Saves the Day
Here it is Thursday afternoon, and Evelyn sees no break in her hectic schedule for the weekend. She has a presentation due on Monday morning and a meeting on Saturday most of the day with her team. The bad part is, her favorite aunt's birthday is on Saturday and she is turning 65 years old and this is one birthday that Evelyn did not want to miss.
A Simple Little Holiday Plan
The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying season has shifted into high gear. Remain calm and prepare yourself for the most jam-packed month in the calendar year. There are a small percentage of you who may actually have completed your to-do list long before everyone else. (If this is you, then kick back and relax.) The rest of you needn't despair! Just read on for the essential steps in holiday preparation.
The key to preparing yourself for all the craziness is a well thought out plan. Believe it or not, the simple act of putting it down on paper can give you some peace. I am not sure why seeing my obligations and tasks in black and white are more calming than letting them race through my mind, but it really works.
Christmas Lights Add Sparkle To The Holidays
Electric Christmas lights have been around since the 1880's. It is no wonder they are still around and being enjoyed by so many. Using lights at Christmastime is not only a tradition; it is truly what turns boring streets into winter wonderlands and plain houses into gifts for everyone who drives by. Lights are the easiest way to decorate with the most impact.
10 Steps to a Relaxing Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Family, friends, good food ? and no presents to buy. To make it your best holiday ever, consider these organizing tips:
|
