Rachel French
\nIn Motion Staff Writer<\/p>\n
It\u2019s almost Christmas and, as everybody knows, that means it\u2019s time to break out the Christmas decorations.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Romans, Egyptians and assorted ancient pagan cultures placed special importance on plants known as evergreens \u2013 plants such as the pine tree.<\/p>\n
So what do these ancient cultures have to do with modern-day Christmas celebrations?<\/p>\n
Daytona State student Nick McNiell says Christmas is a bittersweet time of year for him. \u201cAfter my brothers moved on and out of the house, the extravagance of the season sort of moved out with them,\u201d he said, sadness in his voice.<\/p>\n
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, \u201cthere\u2019s really no tradition anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the opening of malls, stores and other retail businesses on Thanksgiving, as well as Christmas, McNiell isn\u2019t alone in missing the old traditions. But just how old are they? People might be surprised.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This brings up another issue that has been going around the country. When President Obama calls the Christmas tree a \u201choliday tree\u201d to avoid offending the multiple religions that make up America, it has the exact opposite of its intended effect.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s name. Comedian Jon Stewart and the \u201cDaily Show\u201d has used the controversy for fodder on his \u201cfake\u201d news program, devoting an entire segment to the \u201cWar on Christmas.\u201d He concludes, \u201cChristmas is so big, it\u2019s starting to eat Halloween and Thanksgiving!\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Satire or not, there is probably no end to that argument and the holidays have always stirred deep emotions in most Americans.<\/p>\n
McNiell pointed out that artificial trees are often cheaper, as well as more environmentally friendly, because cutting down a tree for every family \u2013 sometimes more than one tree \u2013 isn\u2019t necessary. He remembers having the same artificial tree for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201c You kill two birds with one stone. That\u2019s all you have to do,\u201d he said, laughing, \u201c is plug the tree in and it\u2019s already lit. Pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone can purchase an artificial tree that\u2019s as unique as the buyer. Some are tall, some are fat, some are pre-lit, and some are just a blank canvas.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cBut, I don\u2019t how well that will work considering that I have a little boxer puppy this year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Regarding decorations, Lehan sheepishly explained that her favorite ornament is one with a picture of her face on it that she made in \u201cgood ol\u2019 kindergarten class.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s called a holiday tree or a Christmas tree, whether it\u2019s a live tree or an artificial one, it still symbolizes the same thing \u2013 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\u2019t that what the Christmas season is all about?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rachel French In Motion Staff Writer It\u2019s almost Christmas and, as everybody knows, that means it\u2019s 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 Continue reading Christmas Trees harken season to be jolly<\/span>