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 As you decorate your tree with these ornaments, you immerse yourself in a magical atmosphere, as if you are taking a glimpse of the snowy Russian winter with its Father Frost and Troika (a Russian word for three horses pulling a sleigh). People have always celebrated winter solstice by bringing green trees or branches into their homes. Egyptians brought green date palms into their homes. The Druids - sprigs of evergreen holly. The greenery symbolizes the new life's triumph over death. To the superstitious, these green branches were also protection against evil spirits, ghosts and witches. It is believed that Martin Luther was the first to decorate a tree. The ornaments and candles were reflections of the heavenly light on earth. In general, Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we know it in the 16th century, when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. In Russia, decorating Christmas trees is said to have been introduced by Peter the Great after his travels in Western Europe during 1700's. During the Soviet era, the Christmas tree was abolished, together with Christmas and all other religious holidays. To keep the tradition alive, people decorated New Year's trees, instead. Today, we still adorn the tree with beautiful, unique ornaments. The tradition is very much alive. |
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