About 15 years ago I did quite abit of research on Christmas celebrations. I
think the thing one should remember, is it is an evolution of many traditions
- some pagan, some Christian.

Yes, the christmas tree is perceived as a Christian symbol.  Some believe it
represents Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  The fir is an evergreen, so it
also represents a continuation of life in winter when everything is "dying".

Tree ornaments are also believed to have some origination or harkening back to
Christian symbols.  Some see the Christmas ball as evolving over time from
eucharistic wafers.

I have an entire slide show on various decorations and their evolutions.  And
now there are many other resources around.  I did research for an 18th c.
site, so we could correctly interpret Christmas, when trees were NOT a part of
the celebration in most locations.

Barbara Taylor