Tradition of Christmas Lights And Candles On The Tree

 In today’s world the only time we stop to think about lights on a tree is when we are buying a new tree and we ponder the question of whether we should purchase a pre-light one or not. The tradition of lighting our Christmas Trees precedes today’s modern electric lights.

No Mr. Edison did not light the first Christmas tree.  Lighting of a Christmas tree began around the middle of the XVIIth century in Germany with candles. It is said it took another two centuries for the tradition to begin in Eastern Europe.

The first candles were attached to trees with melted candle wax (sounds dangerous). In 1890 someone finally decided to use candleholders with is just a little safer. Over the next few decades’ people began to use small lanterns and glass balls to hold the candles.

New York City is the proud home of the first lighting of a tree using electric lights.  In 1882 Mr. Edward Johnson lighted a tree with 80 small electric lights. Within a decade mass production of electric light began. What a wonderful period it must have been to see a department store Christmas display lite for the first time.

As a side note Mr. Johnson worked for Mr. Edison and went on to become president of Edison’s electric company. Mr. Edison must have really liked those Christmas lights!

It is told that the light emitted from the candles on a tree were like sparking stars. So the light would remind us that Christ is the light of the world. Many families still burn candles on Christmas eve to continue the tradition.

Please always light your tree in a safe manner.