The tradition of bringing a Christmas tree into the home for decoration originated in Germany in the 16th century, where candles were attached to the branches with beeswax and lit to create a warm atmosphere during the cold winter days.
For a long time, the Christmas tree has become one of the symbols of Christmas, not only in Western countries or among Christians. Today, during the Christmas season, one can easily see trees adorned with sparkling stars, pine cones, greeting cards, lights, and bells everywhere.
In Christianity, the Christmas tree symbolizes rebirth, luck, and signifies overcoming difficulties, much like the tree’s shape that reaches straight up to the sky. The star on top of the Christmas tree represents faith and hope. (Image: Hotel De La Coupole).
Initially, decorating this type of tree was meant to celebrate the winter festival of Christianity. The Romans used greenery to adorn temples, while Christians viewed it as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ. There are many anecdotes surrounding the origins of why the Christmas tree became a symbol of Christmas, but essentially this tree embodies love, resurrection, and symbolizes luck as well as the ability to overcome adversity, just as the branches of the pine always reach upward. Alongside the meaning of the Christmas tree during the holiday, the ritual of lighting the Christmas tree is also cherished by Christians.
The Germans were the first to come up with the idea of lighting the Christmas tree. Initially, they used candles for illumination, but this method posed significant fire hazards. After the invention of electric lights, they were quickly adopted for decorating the Christmas tree during the holiday season. Albert Sadacca is credited with popularizing the use of electric lights for Christmas trees. In 1917, as fires from candle-lit trees became more frequent, 15-year-old Sadacca conceived the idea and, with his parents, began producing bulbs for Christmas trees.
Christians believe that lighting the Christmas tree is a way to kick off the Christmas season. The moment the Christmas tree is lit is a sacred time that spreads love and connection. New Yorkers even have a saying: “It’s not Christmas until the Rockefeller tree is lit,” emphasizing the significance of this annual event that has been maintained for nearly 100 years at the Rockefeller Center.
Typically, people start decorating the Christmas tree at the beginning of Advent. This is the time four Sundays before Christmas. Lighting the tree early allows everyone to enjoy the Christmas spirit longer. After the Christmas season ends, 12 days later, the tree will be stripped of its decorations and removed from the home or display.
In Vietnam, to experience the lighting of the Christmas tree, one can visit churches, parishes, shopping centers, and more. Additionally, the lighting ceremony of the Christmas tree is often hosted by upscale hotels to provide a private and cozy experience for guests and diners.
