why is there a christmas tree on christmas

Interestingly the Reformation boosted the tradition of the Christmas tree. December in Wissembourg, Alsace © French Moments From New York’s Rockefeller Centre to St. Thus starting a new custom that would continue throughout the centuries to come across the whole world. Indeed, more than decorating just a branch, the people of Sélestat adorned the whole tree (which was hung from the ceiling). In fact, the demand for Christmas trees was so high in Alsace that local ordinances stated that “no person shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoe lengths (4 feet)”. The city of Sélestat had to spend this money in order to protect its woods from ruination. The first mention of a decorated Christmas tree in Sélestat (1521) © French Moments It refers to four schillings given to the forest rangers to watch over the surrounding forest on Christmas Day. The document contains a mention of the tree on page 239. The Humanist Library (Bibliothèque Humaniste) stores a copy of the city’s record dating to 21 December 1521. It was in the Alsace town of Sélestat that the first official mention of a decorated tree in history appeared.

The tradition of decorated Christmas trees was a widespread tradition in Southern Germanic lands as early as the 16th century. The origins of the French Christmas tree The suspended Christmas trees inside St Georges Church, Sélestat © French Moments It is a more secular tradition than that of the Nativity and thus more appreciated by protestant countries such as northern Germany and Scandinavia. In the alpine village of Granier © French Moments

This is a symbol of hope and eternal life. A fir tree is the best choice because it does not lose its leaves during winter. The tree, covered in red apples and lights, symbolised the venue of Christ: ‘ the light that illuminates the world’. In France, the Christmas tree first appeared in Alsace in 1521. The French called a Christmas tree “ un sapin de noël” or “ un arbre de noël”.

Why is there a christmas tree on christmas