My dd asked me why do we decorate the tree

[jlschlangen]

My dd was really tired yesterday and she asked me why do we decorate the Christmas tree. She asked both my & my dh seperately. So I am asking you how would you have responded? I told her: to make it look pretty, I talked about why we put a star at the top of the tree, said something else but forget what the other response was. Things kids say. Goodness!

Thanks.

[doeeyedgirl]

It's kind of lengthy, but Wikipedia can tell you all about it.
It started back as early as the 15th and 16th century. Devout Christians would decorate with fruit and nuts and candles. It then changed throughout the years.

It says: "The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmastime."