Decorating a Christmas Tree inside our home during the winter holidays is one of the very best traditions dating back to ancient times. Modern Christmas tradition celebrates the arrival of the Christian era, which is only about 2,000 years old. However, long before Christ's birth the ancient Celts and Germanic tribes were burning Yule holiday logs in their home fireplaces celebrating winter solstice, hoping to drive out the spirit of the old year and to welcome in the New Year of lengthening daylight and increasing warmth. In their winter solstice celebrations, these tribes placed stars atop trees heralding with this the return of increasing hours of daylight, the returning cycle of light, warmth and new growth.

The evergreen pine tree was revered because of its unique ability to keep its foliage green through the darkest and coldest season. Its evergreen needles were believed to preserve the divine light, carrying the sacred life giving light through until the cycle of longer daylight hours and re greening of plant life could occur.

In ancient Yuletide celebrations, outside pines were decorated with shiny objects to preserve the divine light. In those times trees were not brought inside the home, hanging pine branches over doors and windows during Yuletide was believed sufficient to prevent evil from entering a building. Late in the middle ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring.

William Pellouchoud | Image Courtesy Of William Pellouchoud