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History of the Christmas tree in America
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I was listening in the background to a PBS program about Christmas at Biltmore Estate, and they mentioned that the tradition of the Christmas tree dates back to around 1850, when an article about Queen Victoria was published in the U.S., and it mentioned that her German-born husband, Prince Albert, shared his childhood tradition of having a Christmas tree in the house with their family. Thus, Americans smitten with all things Victorian began to decorate Christmas trees in their homes.
I was wondering if anyone knows of resources that bear this out, something more than just a Wikipedia entry, lol….I would appreciate any suggestions that include information about how and when Christmas trees became popular in the United States.
Probably not what you’re looking for, but this article does have a short poem by Robert Frost about Christmas Trees. In 1920, I believe, he refused somebody the $30 they offered for 1,000 trees off of his propery!
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/xmas/history/chapter1.html
Would this help?
That’s the history of it’s intro into America that I learned years ago.
I recall in the Little House books that they never had one-only stockings. I think Laura only wrote that there was one time when she saw a tree decorated-in Banks of Plum Creek when the town had one set up in the church/schoolhouse. Christmas just wasn’t a huge big observance until the late 1800’s in America.
I know that it was outlawed in the states. The Pilgrims never had one and religious sects also. You can go and look up stuff like that but that is where I would start. Why was it outlawed.
@Sarah- I will have to look at the one about Christmas Unwrapped. It sounds very interesting. 🙂
Blessings.
In short it was outlawed because it started as a pagan holiday. The Catholic church decided to use Dec. 25th as the day to celebrate Christ’s birth (but it had a pagan meaning before that – I can’t remember what). The mostly Protestant pilgrims believed it was wrong to celebrate Christmas because it was a pagan holiday.
Growing up my mom, and still, believed it was wrong. My dad insisted we celebrate it. Thus we celebrated it as a secular holiday growing up. I, now, wrestle with it. I want to throw out the whole secular traditions and fully embrace the celebration of Immanuel – coming to be with us! The Christian traditions are so immersed with the secular that it’s hard for me to feel comfortable with any of it. Sometimes I wonder if this was the same dilema that the early Pilgrims wrestled with .
So, we’re not the only ones??!! We also don’t celebrate Christmas for the reasons mentioned above as well as the whole commercialization of it all. So, I agree…it’s great not to have to worry about it all. The only drawback is that most people don’t understand…wonder if we’re anti-Christ if we mention it – and nothing cound be further from the truth! Anyway, I’d just encourage everyone to listen to your conscience and not just follow the ways of the world. It’s something that I think most people struggle with deep down. Why continue to continue to justify it if it just doesn’t feel right to you?! And then again, if it does, then embrace it… and have a wonderful holiday everyone, regardless!!!
Thank you for all of your responses about the history of Christmas trees in America. Apparently, Burt Wolf’s people did their research and found the same basic info about them as has been mentioned here. I think many of us would be surprised at a lot of celebratory symbols and traditions for various holidays, if we researched them all. Anniepeter is right in saying we have do what we feel is right for Christmas, even if others don’t quite understand. A good dollop of grace served up to others can do a lot of good, and sometimes someone is won to Christ by our explanations of the how & why of our holiday celebrations.
I have to say, I had quite a joyous feeling driving home from an errand around dark tonight. Every year, one street in the small city we used to live in lines the sidewalks in front of their homes on Christmas Eve with luminaries made in plastic milk jugs. I drove down the street, getting very excited over seeing them, and I couldn’t help thinking about the Light of the World, Jesus….
I hope I didn’t make it sound like I don’t like Christmas! I LOVE Christmas when it’s all about Jesus!
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