Rachel French
In Motion Staff Writer
It’s almost Christmas and, as everybody knows, that means it’s time to break out the Christmas decorations.
People associate Christmas trees with the birth of Christ, the coming of a new year, a symbol and promise of hope. Exquisite glass ornaments and beautiful displays accompany live or artificial trees and stockings hang on the walls of countless homes across the world.
So many people hold Christmas and Christmas trees dear, but, it seems that no one really knows the origins of the Christmas tree. In fact, many people believe the Christmas tree originated as a Christian tradition. Those people are, interestingly enough, incorrect.
Romans, Egyptians and assorted ancient pagan cultures placed special importance on plants known as evergreens – plants such as the pine tree.
So what do these ancient cultures have to do with modern-day Christmas celebrations?
Daytona State student Nick McNiell says Christmas is a bittersweet time of year for him. “After my brothers moved on and out of the house, the extravagance of the season sort of moved out with them,” he said, sadness in his voice.
He recalled how, every year, his family would put together an old, dusty pre-lit Christmas tree and decorated it with any ornaments that they could get their hands on. Now, “there’s really no tradition anymore.”
With the opening of malls, stores and other retail businesses on Thanksgiving, as well as Christmas, McNiell isn’t alone in missing the old traditions. But just how old are they? People might be surprised.
In addition to pine trees still being the preferred tree of choice, people also continue to celebrate Christmas Day on Dec. 25, which in reality is three of four days after the ancient pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice. Pagans celebrated the shortest day of the year by praising the sun god, be it the Egyptian Ra or any number of other deities.
This brings up another issue that has been going around the country. When President Obama calls the Christmas tree a “holiday tree” to avoid offending the multiple religions that make up America, it has the exact opposite of its intended effect.
Some Christians are up in arms defending the name of the Christ-mas tree. Others, however, find it considerate of the president to change the Christmas tree’s name. Comedian Jon Stewart and the “Daily Show” has used the controversy for fodder on his “fake” news program, devoting an entire segment to the “War on Christmas.” He concludes, “Christmas is so big, it’s starting to eat Halloween and Thanksgiving!” He is referring to stores opening on Thanksgiving Day for Christmas shopping and the fact that the Christmas decorations come out sometimes simultaneously with the Halloween masks.
Satire or not, there is probably no end to that argument and the holidays have always stirred deep emotions in most Americans.
McNiell pointed out that artificial trees are often cheaper, as well as more environmentally friendly, because cutting down a tree for every family – sometimes more than one tree – isn’t necessary. He remembers having the same artificial tree for a long time.
“ You kill two birds with one stone. That’s all you have to do,” he said, laughing, “ is plug the tree in and it’s already lit. Pretty cool.”
Anyone can purchase an artificial tree that’s as unique as the buyer. Some are tall, some are fat, some are pre-lit, and some are just a blank canvas.
Weighing in with her experience with Christmas trees, photo major Brianne Lehan mentioned how her family also has an artificial Christmas tree. She said an important family tradition was arranging little porcelain houses and a battery-operated train around the base of the tree. “But, I don’t how well that will work considering that I have a little boxer puppy this year,” she said.
Lehan reminisced how her favorite tree topper is the star her family has had ever since she can remember. All their decorations are older than she is, she noted.
Regarding decorations, Lehan sheepishly explained that her favorite ornament is one with a picture of her face on it that she made in “good ol’ kindergarten class.”
Whether it’s called a holiday tree or a Christmas tree, whether it’s a live tree or an artificial one, it still symbolizes the same thing – the holiday season, good will toward men and peace on earth. The Christmas tree symbolizes hope, a new year, the future and so many other amazing sentiments that only this special time of year could be celebrated in such a manner. After all, isn’t that what the Christmas season is all about?