Long time ago, the evergreens were worshiped as symbols of immortality in pagan cultures, and used for warding off the evil spirits. However, starting year 700, the pagan tree was replaced by a fir tree which was considered a symbol of Christianity. Responsible for this change was Saint Boniface, who converted the Germans to Christianity.
During the 11th century, the tree became a symbol of the tree of Paradise, and people started decorating it with red apples. Four centuries later, around the year 1500, Martin Luther brought a tree indoor, and decorated it with candles in honor of Christ's birth, and starting that moment, people began bringing the trees indoor and decorating them with lights and apples. Still, the custom of decorating a Christmas tree was established in the 18th century, being more common in France, Austria and Germany.
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