History of Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree was appropriated by Christian missionaries from the
earlier Asatru pagan midwinter holiday of Yule, the celebration of the Winter
solstice. Yule log fire and the greenery used to decorate the homes were
believed to bring back its warmth at the time of the solstice, green twigs were
used for good luck talismans. Yule was widespread and popular in northern Europe
long before the arrival of Christianity.
The year 1841 was a significant year in the Christmas celebration in England.
Prince Albert, the German husband of British Queen Victoria, brought the first
Christmas tree in England to the royal castle of Windsor. A year later America
was to discover the Christmas tree. In 1842 Dr. Charles Frederick Minnegerode,
professor of Greek at the College of William and Mary, brought the first
Christmas tree to Virginia, America. Christmas tree has
significant importance almost all over the world. Decorating the Christmas tree
and placing Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree are common traditions.
