Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special place in the lives of people during the winter. The evergreen fir tree, which is traditionally used as a Christmas tree today, was used in various pagan festivals to celebrate the winter solstice.
The tradition of the Christmas tree as we know it started in Germany in the 16th century. It was Martin Luther, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, who first added lighted candles to a tree, symbolizing the stars shining over Bethlehem.
Today, people use an array of decorations on their Christmas trees. These include colorful lights, which represent the stars; apples symbolizing knowledge and the fall of man; and candy canes, which stand for shepherd's crooks. The star or the angel at the top of the tree signifies the Archangel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Christmas story.
In recent years, there has been a debate over the environmental impact of real versus artificial trees. While artificial trees can be reused each year, they are made from non-renewable materials and take hundreds of years to decompose. Real trees, on the other hand, are a renewable resource, and tree farms that grow Christmas trees contribute to air quality.
Therefore, the Christmas tree is not just a symbol of celebration but also a reminder of our environmental responsibilities.