Nothing says it is Christmas more than a Christmas tree, but where did this tradition begin? Almost all Christmas traditions have their root in paganism and pagan customs.
The Egyptians worshipped the sun god, Ra, during Christmas time. At the time of the year called the winter solstice, it is believed that Ra was recuperating from an illness.
His faithful worshippers celebrated his miraculous recovery by putting up green palm leaves in their homes.
The Romans also have a feast right about that time. The feast is called Saturnalia and it was for the god of agriculture, Saturn. The feast was a means of anticipatory appreciation for how green they hoped the produce are going to be.
When Christianity first began, the birth of Jesus was set at the pagan tradition Saturnalia even though historians believe that it was nine months later.
Germans also began the Christmas tree tradition in modern times by buying Christmas trees and decorating them.
The popularity of the Christmas tree tradition can be traced back to Protestant Christian reformer Martin Luther. He was the first person to put lights on the Christmas tree.
He was walking home and realised how beautiful the stars in the night sky were among the trees. He then decorated his Christmas tree with lighted candles.
Another person credited for the popularity of the Christmas tree was the monarch of England Queen Victoria in 1846 who was drawn with her husband beside a tree on Christmas in Windsor Castle for Illustrated London News.
The tree was decorated with presents and so began the tradition.
