Of the many traditions involving plants associated with Christmas,

Of the many traditions involving plants associated with Christmas, the Christmas tree is probably the most beloved.

A wide-eyed child grazing at a Christmas tree is far removed from ancient Romans and Druids shouting incantations to a decorated tree. Yet, it is from these cultures that the Christmas tree custom originated. During their mid-winter festival, the early Romans decorated trees with bits of metal and replicas -of-their god, Bacchus. They also placed 12 candles on the tree in honor of their sun god.

During the same season, the Northern Europe, Druids honored their main good, Woden, by tying fruit to tree branches and offering cakes, fashioned into birds, fish, and animals. The Druids, too, placed candles on the boughs of the trees to hpnor their sun god.

Christians Adopt Pagan Symbol

The legends of the Christmas tree offers many different sources of the Christian adoption of the pagan symbol.

One legend regarding the first Christmas tree says an evergreen sprang from the center of an oak cut down by St. Boniface in 8th-century Germany. The oak symbolized paganism and its death brought an end to" the old ways. The new tree was to be the sign of endless life, for its leaves are evergreen.

Another legend credits Martin Luther, the founder ofthe 16th-century Protestant movement, with being the first to add holiday decorations to an indoor tree. As he walked home through the forest one clear winter night, he observed the beauty of the stately evergreens and all stars sparkling through the blanches from above.

When Luther arrived home and tried to describe the beautiful experience to his wife and children, he Mjras unable to find the words. To illustrate the scene, he went to the woods and returned with a small fir tree which was erected in the home and decorated with lighten candles. By the middle of the 16th century, decorated trees became popular in Germany and France.