The First Christmas Tree

The Legend from Latvia The first decorated Christmas tree originated in Latvia, according to legend. The story has Martin Luther, of the 95 Theses, walking in 1510 in a forest in Riga, and starting a tradition now practiced worldwide. The legend goes that Martin Luther, whose home was in Latvia (where Germans tended to live, spilling over from regions of northern Germany) was walking in a nearby forest one evening. Struck by the beauty of the moonlight shining on the fir trees, he went home determined to recreate the moment for his children. He brought a fir tree into the house and decorated it with candles. And so, the legend of the first decorated Christmas tree was born. Two other accounts from the same time period and area report a somewhat different although related story. They speak of a local Christmas eve practice where members of the merchant guild would enjoy a dinner and then parade a fir tree decorated with paper roses to the market square, and set the tree on fire. Apparently these Christians couldn't let go of some pagan rituals. In reality, no one knows who decorated the first Christmas tree although most historians would agree that the tradition started with the Germans, who spread the practice throughout Europe and beyond. It's possible the Germans had precursors in the Romans, who prior to Christ brought evergreen branches into their homes in late December. In the 7th century, the English monk St. Boniface went to teach the pagan Germans of Thuringia about Christianity. He used the fir tree's triangular shape to explain the concept of the Trinity. The people came to revere the fir tree and by the 12th century would hang a tree upside down from their ceilings as a symbol of their faith. Reports of Christmas tree decorating traditions increased in the ensuing centuries. And yet, in this century, few people are aware of Latvia's role in originating the first decorated Christmas tree, even if legendary. Latvians hope to increase awareness of this Christmas story.