圣诞树的来历可以追溯到16世纪的德国教士马丁·路德（Martin Luther）时代。

纽约洛克菲勒中心(Rockefeller Center)的圣诞树每年装饰一新。图为2007年彩灯闪烁的圣诞树伫立在纽约洛克菲勒广场（Rockefeller Plaza）通用电气公司（General Electric）大楼前。

圣诞树的来历可以追溯到16世纪的德国教士马丁·路德（Martin Luther）时代。据传说，路德为了让他的孩子了解上帝创造的奇迹，在圣诞前夕带了一棵冷杉树回家。19世纪，这个习俗传到到英国和美国。今天，许多美国人买一棵新砍下的常青树，或立起一棵可重复使用的铝和塑料做成的树。

大多数基督徒在12月25日庆祝圣诞节，纪念拿撒勒（Nazareth)的耶稣诞生。美国人和世界各地的许多人们一样，逐渐创造了自己的圣诞节传统。随着时间的推移，庆祝圣诞节的传统也发生了很大的变化。

The custom of the Christmas tree dates back to the 16th century. Americans who celebrate Christmas carry the tradition on today.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, decorated each year and pictured here in 2007, stands lit in front of the General Electric building in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza.

Christmas trees are believed to date back to Martin Luther, the 16th-century German cleric. According to legend, Luther brought home to his children a fir tree one Christmas Eve to remind them of the wonders of God’s creation. The custom spread to Britain and the United States in the 19th century. Today, many Americans either purchase a cut, fresh evergreen tree or put up a reusable aluminum and plastic model.

Christmas, celebrated by most Christians on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Americans, like many of the world’s peoples, have developed their own Christmas traditions, which have changed greatly over time.