In 1882, Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, created the first string of electric lights to be used on his own Christmas tree. Prior to this, lights on Christmas trees were candles…real candles with open flames (you can just imagine the dangers involved with this). But tradition ruled and as candles have always been used for both warmth and light during the dark months of winter, it was only natural that they would be part of the early traditions of the Christmas tree. In northern Europe, it was common practice to use candles in winter and especially during the Winter Solstice not only for light but to symbolize hope and the return of the sun. Christians adapted the early use of candles as symbols of light and hope to represent Jesus Christ, biblically called the “Light of the W

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