Meaning of christmas tree (what is it, concept and definition)

What is the Christmas Tree:

The Christmas tree is a highly symbolic decorative element for celebrating Christmas.

The Christmas tree is traditionally decorated with a star, colored balls, lights, sparkle, garlands and bows.

It can be either natural (a coniferous plant that can be a fir or a pine), or artificial, in which case it is usually made of plastic or made of synthetic materials that emulate an authentic natural tree.

Its green color and its pointed shape are symbols of the life and love of God, and the lights that adorn it refer us to the mystery of Christmas Eve, when Jesus Christ comes into the world bringing the light of a new hope.

Likewise, it reminds us of the tree of Paradise, from whose fruit Adam and Eve ate, incurring original sin. In this sense, it also refers to Christ, the promised Messiah to achieve reconciliation.

The tradition of putting Christmas gifts at the foot of the tree for children, whether they are brought by the Three Kings, Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus, is later, and yet it has a deep Christian meaning, remembering that the tree came from all goods.

Christmas tree story

The Christmas tree is considered an adaptation of the tree of life or tree of the universe (known as Yggdrasil), typical of Nordic mythology, in which the worldview of the peoples of northern Europe was represented.

This tree was used to celebrate the birth of the Sun God and fertility, known as Frey, on dates close to our current Christmas.

During the evangelization of Germany, in the 8th century, it is said that Saint Boniface, to end the worship of gods that from the point of view of Christianity were pagans, cut the tree and put an evergreen pine in its place, which It symbolized the love of God, and adorned it with apples, representing original sin, and candles, symbol of the light of Christ.

Over time, apples and candles would transform into balls and lights, just like our current Christmas tree.

Christmas tree elements

The Christmas tree is generally an evergreen conifer, triangular in shape. It is adorned with some of the following items.

• Star: symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, astro guide of the three wise men until Jesus Christ; it is placed at the top of the tree. Balls: they represent the gifts that God gave to men; it is said that initially it had been decorated with apples, as a symbol of the temptations that Christ came to redeem us. Bows, garlands and tinsel: symbols of family togetherness and joy. Lights: they are the representation of the light that Jesus Christ brought to the world with his coming.