The Surprising History of the Christmas Tree A GLOBAL SYMBOL ROOTED IN ANCIENT TRADITIONS
It should come as no surprise that many of our holiday traditions have time-honored lineages. Santa Claus, mistletoe, and nutcrackers have stories that have withstood the test of time and are part of our celebrations today. The same goes for our beloved Christmas tree. Before it was essential decor to commemorate the holiday season, the Christmas tree served as a fragrant evergreen, providing joy during harsh winters. But that’s not the entire story. It’s roots can be traced back to ancient Rome, the medieval period, and Germany, with ties to the Garden of Eden. Decorated trees have played an essential role in many faith-based rituals throughout human history. During their winter festival, Saturnalia, the Romans honored the god of agriculture, Saturnus, by decorating evergreen trees with small pieces of metal. In the Middle Ages, these “paradise trees” were decorated with apples, symbolizing the feast between Adam and Eve. Because of this, some link the Christmas tree directly to Christian cosmogony, and the tradition evolved through the retelling of religious practices and ancient stories, but that’s not the case.
The earliest record of a decorated Christmas tree dates back to a diary entry in 1605 Germany. It described a tree decorated with candies, apples, and paper roses. The first record of Christmas trees in America dates back to 1747, when Moravian Germans in Pennsylvania built a wooden pyramid community “tree” and decorated it with candles. Unfortunately, many did not greet the celebration with welcoming arms. As late as the 1840s, many Americans viewed these holiday traditions as “pagan mockery” and did not accept them. The season’s frivolity was so frowned upon that the General Court of Massachusetts enforced penal offenses against anyone hanging decorations on Dec. 25 in observance of the holiday. However, by the 1890s, the once “unholy” tradition gained more acceptance in the U.S. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that Americans embraced the holiday tradition.
Who knew the Christmas tree had such a rich history? Many feel gratitude for the ancestors of Christmas past, as their traditions and faith shaped how we celebrate and cherish the special season today.
Inspired by Delicious.com
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
Ingredients • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened • 2/3 cup brown sugar • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 tsp baking powder • 3/4 cup self-rising flour • 3/4 cup dried figs, roughly chopped • 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped • 1/2 cup hot water Toffee sauce • 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
Grease a 6-cup ovenproof bowl and line the bottom with waxed paper. 2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, and flour until smooth. Stir in pecans and figs, then add 1/2 cup hot water. 3. Pour batter into prepared bowl, cover with a circle of waxed paper, then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. 4. For toffee sauce, put butter and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Stir in cream and increase heat to medium. Bring to just below boiling, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until thickened. 5. Turn pudding onto a plate and drizzle with toffee sauce.
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