The Christmas tree, a beloved symbol of the holiday season, has roots that stretch back centuries and cross cultures. Its journey from ancient pagan traditions to its current status as a universal icon of Christmas is a fascinating story of cultural adaptation, religious significance, and enduring symbolism.
Long before the advent of Christianity, evergreen plants held special significance for many ancient civilizations. In regions where winters were harsh, evergreens symbolized life and renewal. The ancient Egyptians celebrated the winter solstice by decorating their homes with green palm rushes in honor of Ra, their sun god, to symbolize the triumph of life over death. Similarly, the Romans used evergreen boughs to adorn their homes during Saturnalia, a festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, which coincided with the winter solstice.
The Druids of ancient Celtic cultures also revered evergreens, viewing them as sacred symbols of eternal life. They incorporated holly, ivy, and mistletoe into their midwinter rituals, believing these plants held protective and healing powers.
The modern Christmas tree finds its roots in the medieval Christian tradition of “Paradise Trees.” These trees were often decorated during plays performed on December 24, which commemorated the Feast of Adam and Eve. Apples were hung on fir trees to represent the forbidden fruit from the Garden of Eden. Over time, the Paradise Tree merged with Christian themes, evolving into a household tradition.
By the 16th century, the first Christmas trees as we know them began to appear in Germany. Legend attributes the practice to Martin Luther, who is said to have been inspired by the sight of stars twinkling through the branches of evergreen trees. To recreate the effect for his family, Luther reportedly brought a tree indoors and adorned it with candles.
The Christmas tree tradition gained popularity in Germany and soon spread to neighboring countries. By the 18th century, the custom had become widespread among German households. Decorations grew more elaborate, including nuts, fruits, and handcrafted ornaments.
In the 19th century, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert played a pivotal role in popularizing the Christmas tree in England. As Prince Albert was of German descent, he introduced the tradition to the British royal family. An illustration of the royals standing around a decorated Christmas tree was published in 1848, sparking widespread interest and adoption of the custom across England and North America.
German immigrants brought the tradition of the Christmas tree to the United States, including southcentral Pennsylvania, in the 18th and 19th centuries. Initially, the practice was concentrated in communities with strong German roots, but by the late 19th century, it had become a mainstream American custom.
In an interesting twist of irony, this iconic symbol of the holiday spirit was likely first witnessed by non-German Pennsylvanians as guards at the Hessian prison barracks in Carlisle in 1777.
The first documented Christmas tree in the commonwealth belonged to Lancaster resident Matthias Zahm. His 1821 diary entry reads, “Sally & our Thos. & Wm. Hensel was out for Christmas trees, on the hill at Kendrick’s saw mill.”
While this is unlikely the first actual Christmas tree in Lancaster County, let alone the United States, it is the earliest recorded example of one.
Christmas Cookies
Here’s another holiday fun fact. Pennsylvania’s German settlers in the Biglerville area north of Gettysburg baked the first Christmas cookies.