The meaning of Christmas tree lighting ceremony

The tradition of bringing a pine tree into the house to decorate for Christmas originated in Germany in the 16th century . They attached candles to the branches with beeswax and lit them to create a warm atmosphere on cold winter days.

For a long time, the pine tree has become one of the symbols of Christmas, not only in Western countries or for Christians. Nowadays, every Christmas season, people can easily see pine trees decorated with sparkling stars, pine cones, greeting cards, lights, bells. everywhere.

In Christianity, the pine tree symbolizes rebirth, good luck and overcoming all difficulties, similar to the tree's straight-up shape towards the sky. The star on top of the pine tree is a symbol of faith and hope. (Photo: Hotel De La Coupole).

Originally, the decoration of this tree was intended to celebrate the Christian winter festival. The Romans used the tree to decorate their temples, while Christians considered it a symbol of the rebirth of God. There are many anecdotes surrounding the origin of why the pine tree became a symbol of Christmas, but in general, this tree is the embodiment of love, resurrection, symbolizing luck as well as the ability to overcome all adversities like the pine branches always pointing to the sky. Along with the meaning of the pine tree during Christmas, the ritual of lighting the Christmas tree is also respected by Christians.

The Germans were the first to think of lighting Christmas trees . At first, they used candles to light them, but this method posed a fire hazard, so after the electric light bulb was invented, it was quickly used to decorate Christmas trees. The person who made lighting Christmas trees with lights popular was Albert Sadacca. In 1917, when more and more fires were starting to appear from candle-lit trees, the 15-year-old Sadacca came up with the idea and together with his parents started producing light bulbs for Christmas trees.

Christians believe that lighting the Christmas tree is the way to start the Christmas season . The moment of lighting the Christmas tree is a sacred moment, spreading love and connection. New Yorkers also have a saying: "It's not Christmas until the Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit", to emphasize the meaning of the annual event that has been maintained for nearly 100 years at the Rockefeller Center.

Traditionally, people start decorating their trees at the start of Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas. The tree is lit early to help people enjoy the Christmas spirit longer. After the 12 days of Christmas are over, the decorations are removed and the tree is removed from the home or display.

In Vietnam, to experience the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, you can go to churches, parishes, shopping malls. In addition, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony is also often organized by high-class hotels, to bring a private, cozy experience to visitors and diners attending.