Christmas Tree – Arbre de Noël – Pagan origin
The Christmas tree (Arbre de Noël in French) tradition originates from Norse mythology and was revived in Germany in the 16th century.
It all began with the Sacred Tree. According to legend, the Fire of the Gods was stolen and given to humankind by a Thunder Serpent, who set fire to the Tree of Knowledge and granted them consciousness. However, this broke their deep connection with Nature. To atone for this sin, people hung offerings on the branches of a tree: rolls of wheat, apples, flowers, and various foods. They then set them alight, symbolically returning the Fire to the Gods.
The Celts associated a tree with each lunar month, and the spruce tree corresponded to December 24th. It symbolised birth, as they considered this day to be the day of the sun’s rebirth.
This tradition was adopted by the Christian church in the 8th century. Saint-Boniface, who converted the Germanic peoples (including the Franks who colonised Gaul at the end of the 5th century and founded the Kingdom of France), used the triangular shape of the fir tree to introduce the concept of the Trinity. Despite this, many pagan populations remained faithful to their ancestral traditions and continued to use various trees for their festivals for generations.
Christmas tree decorations symbolism
Whether simple or lavish, Christmas tree decorations all carry religious symbolism.
1-The evergreen fir tree is a symbol of eternal life and light, representing hope and renewal. Blue and white decorations often symbolise snow and winter, evoking purity and peace. Red decorations, on the other hand, represent the blood of Jesus the Saviour, recalling his sacrifice and redemption.
2-The Star represents the Star of Bethlehem, guiding the Three Wise Men or Magi to the stable where Jesus was born, and symbolises divine protection and hope.
3-Angels remind us of the announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.
4-The bell symbolises the call to bring the lost sheep back to the fold, echoing Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, in which he emphasises the importance of seeking out and caring for those who have strayed.
5-The candle represents Jesus, the divine light whom every Christian is called to follow, the light that guided the Magi to the newborn child.
6-The gift bow is the Christian’s commitment to eternal kindness and the spirit of generosity. It reflects the supreme gift of Jesus Christ and encourages generosity and compassion toward others.
7-The candy cane represents the Good Shepherd”s crook, used to bring back lost sheep. Its shape recalls the letter “J” for Jesus, while the red symbolises his sacrifice and the white represents purity and redemption.
8-The circular wreath represents God’s eternal love, without beginning or end. The evergreen foliage represents eternal life, while the red berries or ribbon can symbolise the blood of Christ shed for the salvation of humankind.
The twelfth day after Christmas, Epiphany – Three Kings’ Night falls on January 5th and marks the end of Christmas festivities for many. In many cultures, it is traditional to take down Christmas decorations, including ornamental plants, the tree, and wreaths, on this day.
Christmas baubles
A Christmas tree wouldn’t be complete without its colourful baubles! In the past, trees were decorated with various gifts, including red apples. But this changed after the harsh winter of 1858, during which all the apple trees perished. A glassblower from Meisenthal, in Moselle, eastern France, had an ingenious idea: to replace the apples with colored glass baubles. And so, the Christmas bauble was born! Since then, Germany and Eastern European countries have specialised in the manufacture of decorations in blown, spun, and moulded glass, as well as in metal, wax, or wood. These decorations include angels, figurines of the Baby Jesus, miniature Santas, gifts, bows, and various wooden objects, all nestled among garlands and multicoloured baubles.
Christmas Tree decoration during the Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, parishioners often performed short plays called Mystery Plays. In the Mystery of Paradise, a tree adorned with red apples symbolised the depth of their faith, and in the old calendar of saints, Adam and Eve were celebrated on December 24th.
However, the Christmas tree tradition was not widespread among the common people at that time, but was mainly practised by the aristocracy. The Church of Rome viewed it with scepticism, seeing it as a pagan tradition due to its association with the winter solstice celebrations. It was only after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 that immigrants from Alsace and Lorraine introduced the German Lutheran tradition of the Christmas tree to France.
This tradition quickly gained popularity, especially since the Church had lost much of its influence after the French Revolution of 1789. The Church eventually adopted the use of the fir tree, recognising its symbolism of eternal life, the paradise of Adam and Eve, and the knowledge of good and evil. By the turn of the 20th century, it had become customary for every French household to have its own Christmas tree.
