| ented evergreen trees are a favorite symbol of | | | | Cleveland minister allowed a Christmas tree in his |
| Christians during Christmas. On the other hand, | | | | church and almost lost his job because of it. |
| history reveals that conifer trees were worshiped | | | | During that same year, the practice became part |
| by different societies long before Christians got | | | | of the free market economy when a farmer |
| the idea. | | | | named Mark Carr produced and dragged two |
| The earliest Egyptians were one of the first | | | | sleds of evergreen trees to New York City. In |
| known civilizations to value the conifers. During | | | | spite of the Puritans' early struggle to the |
| winter solstice, the Egyptians used to move green | | | | tradition, the idea of Christmas trees grew in the |
| date palm leaves inside to represent life over | | | | United States. At the turn of 1900, one in five |
| death. When Romans celebrated their winter | | | | American homes had a Christmas tree. Christmas |
| solstice festival, Saturnalia, they festooned their | | | | tree farms started to sprang up and farmers |
| homes with greenery and lights as a way of | | | | could barley meet the demand. |
| giving thanks for a bountiful season and keeps on | | | | During 1890, a man by the name of F.W. |
| praying for another upcoming abundant season. It | | | | Woolworth initiated to the United States the |
| has been said that the Druids used evergreens in | | | | thought of decorating a tree with glass |
| their winter solstice ceremonies. They placed | | | | knick-knacks. Blown glass decorations had long |
| evergreen branches over doors to fend off evil | | | | been a custom in Europe. From 1870 to the |
| spirits and stop them from entering their homes. | | | | 1930s, Germans created the finest glass |
| The evergreen tree's connection with Christianity | | | | ornaments of that time. German glass blowers |
| dates back about 500 years ago to the early | | | | were accounted to have had nearly 5,000 |
| 16th century. As the story goes, St. Boniface was | | | | different molds for variations and different styles |
| wandering through the woods, which today is | | | | of Christmas ornaments. At the turn of the |
| northern Germany, when he stumbled across a | | | | century, there were over one hundred small glass |
| group of pagans that were devoting an oak tree. | | | | blowing shops in Europe that were all producing |
| Seeing this, St. Boniface was so angered that he | | | | Christmas stuff. These days there are only two |
| cut the oak tree down. It is said that in the oak | | | | German glass-blowing factories that are capable |
| tree's place, a conifer tree grew in a little while. | | | | of making the accuracy required for fashionable |
| Astonished, St. Bonifice acknowledged this to be a | | | | ornament collections such as Christopher Radko. |
| holy sign of the Christian faith, and since then on, | | | | The reputation of the Christmas tree continues to |
| conifer trees began to be linked with Christianity. | | | | develop. The National Christmas Tree Association |
| In due course, German people began to take | | | | reports that in 2006, over 28 million live Christmas |
| coniferous trees indoors at Christmastime and | | | | trees were put up for sale in the United States. |
| adorn them with candles to observe the holiday. | | | | The use of an evergreen tree has developed into |
| When Prince Albert of Germany married Queen | | | | such a conventional symbol of the holiday season |
| Victoria of England, he transported his German | | | | that it sometimes go beyond religious boundaries. |
| practice of the Christmas tree to England. The | | | | Today, many non-Christians prefer to exhibit |
| first year he was in England, he got hold of a fir | | | | decorated evergreen tree in their homes during |
| tree and had it ornamented for his family. The | | | | the month of December. At the moment, |
| people of England were so overwhelmed, that the | | | | synthetic Christmas trees have also become a |
| idea caught on quickly, and before long everyone | | | | well-liked choice for many families, which has even |
| in England wanted their own "Christmas tree" in | | | | initiated a debate over which is superior: real |
| their homes. | | | | versus artificial. Whatever your choice, adorn it |
| This practice slowly extended to the new world. | | | | well and enjoy it; you are taking part in a tradition |
| Initially, the Puritans who instituted our country | | | | that dates back hundreds of years. |
| barred Christmas worldly celebrations. In 1851, a | | | | |