The Christmas Tree (Weihnachtsbaum
or Christbaum) 
The
origin of the Christmas Tree
There are many different versions about the origin of
the Christmas tree.
It is said that tree worship was common among
Germanic and Celtic tribesmen and the evergreen tree was also considered to be a
symbol of “eternal life” by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese.
The fir tree (Tannenbaum) was seen as a symbol of everlasting life because
it was green all year round. Many Germanic tribes are believed to have decorated
their homes with branches of the fir tree to protect their homes.
The ancient Romans believed fir trees brought “happiness” and gave these to
each other at New Year. 
St.
Bonifacius introduced the Christian religion to Germanic tribes, who at that
time worshipped the pagan oak tree of Odin. He is said to have described
the fir tree as a symbol of life whose branches point up to the sky and to God.
It
seems that fir trees were used as Christmas decoration in Alsace in the 16th
century. This region now belongs to France but during the 16th
century it was German. It is said that in 1539 Christmas trees were being
sold in Strassbourg, in Alsace.
A play based on Adam and Eve, performed in
Strassbourg in 1604, featured a fir tree decorated with apples and
called the “paradise tree” in the Garden of Eden. This tree
proved to be so popular that some families put similar trees in their homes.
A more detailed story of the “paradise
tree” told in the Alsace district is that the children of Rosheim in the
Alsace wanted to perform a paradise play of the middle ages at Christmas
time. To portray the garden of Eden they needed a tree and as it was
winter the only tree that was green was the fir tree (which grows in abundance
in this area).
In the first act of the play, the children
required an apple tree. They hung red apples on the tree so they could act
out the story of disobedience.
In
the second act, they wanted to portray the light that the birth of Christ
brought into the world, so they put candles on the tree and lit them. 
The
third act was to portray the strength and substance that Jesus brought us and so
they hung cookies on the tree. 
In
this instance the decorations on the tree had a deeper meaning.
It appears that during the 17th century many
German families decorated their homes with Christmas trees on the 24th of
December, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. It seems they
initially trimmed the trees with wafers (a sign of redemption).
These were replaced with cookies and nuts. Later candles were added
as a symbol of Christ.
However, it is not until the 19th century that the
Christmas tree became popular in Germany. There are accounts
of the use of a tree with lights, in the letters and writing of various Germans.
It is also featured in paintings and sketches of this period..
The Christmas tree was brought from Germany to
England by Prince Albert the husband of Queen Victoria. The Duchess
of Orleans, also from Germany, introduced the Christmas tree to France.
Gradually many countries adopted the use of a Christmas tree.
Christmas tree poem and songs
Rätsel
Ich kenne ein Bäumchen gar fein und zart,
das trägt euch Früchte seltener Art.
Es funkelt und leuchtet mit hellem Schein
weit in des Winters Nacht hinein.
Das sehen die Kinder und freuen sich sehr
und pflücken vom Bäumchen
und pflücken es leer.
Volksgut
No doubt the most famous is the song “O Tannenbaum”,
which translated means fir tree. In the English version of the song it is
sung as “O Christmas tree”. The words Christmas tree were no
doubt used as they had the same amount of syllables as “Tannenbaum”..
Here is the first verse of this song:
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie grün sind deine Blätter,
du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerszeit,
nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie grün sind deine Blätter 
Another
song about the Christmas tree, which has a really lovely melody is the song
“Am Weihnachtsbaum”.. The song has six verses and tells how the
tree brings so much joy to children. Two angels go to the tree and leave
God’s blessing for those who stay true and kind.
Here are the words of the first verse::
Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen,
wie glänzt er festlich lieb und mild,
als spräch er:
Wollt in mir erkennen,
getreue Hoffnung, stilles Bild. 
The music and English words are available from the
author at Billanook Primary School.
Christmas
tree decorations
The Germans, Austrians and Swiss still prefer to use
real candles on the tree. These candles are generally just over a
centimetre in diameter. Special candle holders can be
purchased. These consist of a cup for the candle on a peg (similar to a
clothes peg) that is then attached to the twigs of the tree. The candles
are usually white or red. Nowadays electric candles are becoming popular.
These are white and do not flash, but have the appearance of real candles -
similar to fairy lights. 
Today
many German villages and cities have a fir tree (with just white electric
candles) in the town square or in front of the church. When
the snow falls on the tree, the lights make the tree glitter. 
Today
in Germany there are many different types of Christmas decorations.
Initially it seems that the tree was decorated with apples, candy and iced
gingerbread shapes. In the late 19th century, glass blowers in Thuringia
developed ways of blowing glass balls, bells and animals such as birds.
These were then hung on the tree and silver foil was cut into long thin strips (Lameta)
Wax figures were also hung on the tree. In addition small wooden
bells, toys and other decorations of wood were introduced. Stars
made out of foil often decorate the tree or windows. Elaborate stars
or angels are made out of straw. Other decorations are made out of
wood shavings. 
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