Martin Luther is most famous for beginning the Protestant Reformation, when he posted his 95 Theses on the church doors in Wittenburg, Germany in 1517.  While he did help start an entirely new branch of Christianity, Martin Luther was also a great lover of the Christmas season.

Martin Luther and the Christmas Tree

One German legend claims that Martin Luther was responsible for introducing the use of Christmas trees in the home.  According to the legend, on his way home one evening, Martin Luther was so overcome by the beauty of a fir tree and stars in the sky, that he wanted to tell his family about it.  However, upon returning home, words failed him, so he went out and chopped down a tree and brought it home to share with his family.  To mimic the stars that hung over the manger where Christ was born, Martin Luther decorated the tree with candle tapers.  This was thought to be the first traditional Christmas tree in Germany.