The Christmas tree is one symbol that predates the celebration of Christmas. A village attorney in Illinois had to weigh Supreme Court precedent when he concluded a Christmas tree in a public park was a secular symbol, according to ABA Legal Fact Check. A Christmas tree is a CULTURAL symbol of a religious holiday. Pope John II started the tradition of putting a Christmas tree in Saint Peter's Square in 1982. The lights and decorations on the tree represent the wonder and glory associated with the birth and resurrection of Jesus. However, starting year 700, the pagan tree was replaced by a fir tree which was considered a symbol of Christianity. Christmas trees can be brought into a school and decorated because a court has ruled the Christmas tree is a secular object, much like the Jewish menorah. Like Halloween, we are looking at symbols which are aspects of the architecture of the BEAST SYSTEM, but are not equipped to properly interpret the meanings known to the initiated. “It reminds me of when I was younger. Christians justified the custom on religious grounds by explaining that the evergreen tree can symbolize eternal life. Christmas Trees. But historically speaking, Noonan says there is evidence of Christmas trees from at least the early 1500s in Germany. By Christmas symbols we mean the various objects that bring the remembrance of deep convictions related to Christianity. A very serious Christian friend told me that the Christmas tree originated as a symbol of pagan idolatry. Your donation directly supported the critical reporting you rely on, the consistent reporting you believe in, and the deep reporting you want to ensure survives. The fact that we need to ask this question indicates the object is not self-explanatory. Long time ago, the evergreens were worshiped as symbols of immortality in pagan cultures, and used for warding off the evil spirits. Some people in the congregation took issue with that. But the evergreen tree naturally fits in with Christianity. Christmas Tree. The angel represents the role of angels in the birth of Jesus. Village attorney Charles Marino provided this guidance: “My (legal) research has indicated that a Christmas tree or a holiday tree is secular,” he told the Chicago Tribune. A Christmas Symbol. Interestingly enough, the Bible begins with a tree and ends with a tree, and the Savior of the world dies on a tree. In early times, Christmas tree was considered as the “Tree of Life” which symbolizes life and universe. Christmas tree in Bethlehem, behind it Church of the Nativity, 2014. The beautiful red feathers have earned the cardinal the title of the Christmas bird. However, the parallels with Jesus as a sign of hope and light are clear, he says. There is also evidence of pre-Christian pagans in Europe who worshipped trees, “and worshipping their deities within groves.”, Noonan says the functional side of all this is compelling too. If we focus on the religious meanings behind the many Christmas symbols, we can have a more spiritual, more enriching Christmas time. The story you just read is freely available and accessible to everyone because readers like you support The World financially. That doesn’t cause me any distress.”. Christmas trees are a decoration that Christians incorporated into their celebration of the holiday over the centuries. Noonan says there is one popular legend about Martin Luther coming up with the idea after gazing through an evergreen tree at night and seeing the stars twinkling through its branches. THE … Want to see what's on deck? The Egyptians also brought trees into their homes on December 25th to worship their pagan messiah Baal?Tamar. However, it has been an annual tradition there ever since. Many people say, not really. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. In the Bible, the cross upon which Jesus was crucified is often referred to as a tree. Long time ago, the evergreens were worshiped as symbols of immortality in pagan cultures, and used for warding off the evil spirits. Marino said the tree “is not a religious symbol. The most popular symbol of Christmas, except perhaps for Santa Claus, may also be the least Christian: the Christmas Tree. There’s nothing overtly religious about the giant Christmas tree at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in downtown Boston. The Christmas Tree a Symbol of Pagan Baal Worship;Hundreds of years prior to Christ's birth pagan Romans cut down evergreen trees and brought them into their homes for their December 25th worship of Baal?Berith. In one swipe, he managed to take down the entire oak tree, to the crowd's astonishment. It's curious that Christians latch on to it as … “I do see it as religious, but not in what we call a theological sense, but in a folk religious sense. A Christmas tree is a CULTURAL symbol of a religious holiday. The earliest legend of the origin of a fir tree becoming a Christian symbol dates back to 723 AD, involving Saint Boniface as he was evangelizing Germany. The first mention in history of fir trees used in Christmas celebrations was in 12th century Germany. “It is not a religious symbol. Bretzke, who is 65 and grew up in a Catholic community outside Milwaukee, says he can’t remember there never being a Christmas tree at church. The intention was to remove any potentially offensive religious connotations contained in the name “Christmas tree.”. Learn more about Christmas trees, including their history. Not until the Renaissance are there clear records of trees being used as a symbol of Christmas—beginning in Latvia in 1510 and Strasbourg in 1521. This is a question we can’t answer for you. I tried to get some insight from people in r/athiesm , but I truly believe these people are culturally ok with christmas since most of them grew up with christmas. It has long been believed that seeing a cardinal out your window is a symbol of good luck, or even a loved one who has passed away paying a visit. The same is true with a Christmas tree. “However, the Romans, during Saturnalia brought in leafy greens and boughs and decorated their homes. For families in North America, Germany and other parts of Europe, the Xmas Tree is the symbol of the Christmas season. And when asked if they saw religious meaning in the 80-plus-foot-tall tree, most of them said, not really. Needless to say, the people readily accepted Boniface’s message, and the tree would serve as a reminder of the mighty God who was humbly born into the world as a man on Christmas day. If it is agreed that a religious symbol should be understood to mean a tangible object intrinsically attached to that holiday, then Christmas trees are to Christmas what dreidels are to Hanukkah—a beloved custom but not a religious symbol. It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without seeing stars hanging from street lamps or sitting on top of Christmas trees. PRX is a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS: #263347402. Christmas symbols in my own house make me feel gross.. my wife, who grew up Christian, wants a Christmas tree. Such common choices for tree toppers as stars … A fir tree was used in mystery plays as the so-called "paradise" tree. What led Christians to adopt this custom? Other stories claim that the addition of a cardinal to your Christmas tree will bring cheer, … Read more: Christmas trees, to deck the halls I have a rather eclectic Christmas tree. I certainly don't want to raise my children to celebrate pagan traditions. These dramas were held outside during the Advent and Christmas seasons and … The World is a public radio program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter. Most people usually set up their own Christmas tree a month or weeks before the Christmas day. But if a religious symbol of a holiday is considered a tangible object intrinsically attached to that holiday, and without which the holiday wouldn’t be the same, then no, because the celebration of … Since non-religious decorations are permissible, there is always debate over whether a Christmas tree is a religious symbol. Other stories claim that the addition of a cardinal to your Christmas tree will bring cheer, … "That became a symbol of Christ — being triangular in shape it represents the trinity — and from there came the idea that the tree should be a symbol of Christ and new life," Dr Wilson said. It was Pope John Paul II who first had a Christmas tree put up at the Vatican in 1982. Davuluri says, as a Hindu, she doesn’t attach any real religious meaning to the Christmas tree. Therefore, since the Christmas tree does not represent a religious symbol to any particular religion, as religious symbols are defined, supports the reason we often see the tree displayed in public places during a particular holiday season. This video is unavailable. From its roots grew a fir tree which Boniface took as a sign of the Christian faith. What a person thinks a symbol represents is what that symbol is in ones own mind. Christmas tree as a symbol. Christmas trees can be brought into a school and decorated because a court has ruled the Christmas tree is a secular object, much like the Jewish menorah. And there are numerous such symbols in Christianity that serves the purpose. A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine, or fir, or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas, originating in Germany associated with Saint Boniface. And that is one reason why the early Catholic Church decided to adopt the winter solstice as the birthday of Jesus many centuries ago. Related: Listen to Shirin Jaafari's story about deciding whether she wanted to buy her own Christmas tree. The Christmas tree has become a symbol of the spirit of Christmas in many countries and many, if not all, our homes. Is the Christmas tree a religious symbol? Some of our editorial board members begged to differ. To learn more, review our Cookie Policy. Back in 2005, the city did just that. Responsible for this change was Saint Boniface, who converted the Germans to Christianity. Is a Christmas tree really a religious symbol of Christmas equal to a Nativity scene. More broadly, she says she thinks about what it means to be a Christian. It represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. It’s got lots of lights and generic holiday ornaments. While Christmas trees are traditionally associated with Christian symbolism, their modern use is largely secular. The tradition of decorating a tree is embraced by millions of people worldwide of different faiths and cultures. The history of the Christmas Tree is not something everyone agrees on, but here are many of the roots that water the age-old tradition. The living tree overcoming the … We can give up the symbolism of the tree of life (and even wish God would not use it in John’s vision of the new Jerusalem), or we can take back the symbol for our Lord. Many Christmas emblems convey different religious messages that actually Jesus Christ wanted to convey to the mankind. It really depends on how you define a religious symbol.If by that you mean anything to which any religious significance at all can be attached, then yes, since many Christians have indeed attached religious significance to the Christmas tree (e.g., the Tree of Life, both in Eden and on Calvary). They played a symbolic part because they stayed green and alive when other plants appeared dead and bare. However, it has been an annual tradition there ever since. The commercial world has appropriated the Christmas tree as if it were simply a symbol of the “holidays” and completely ignore the centrality of the Our Lord’s role. One exception at the Boston marketplace is Karen Rasmussan, in town from Denmark to visit her daughter. Christmas tree, live or artificial evergreen tree decorated with lights and ornaments as a part of Christmas festivities. The beautiful red feathers have earned the cardinal the title of the Christmas bird. Not until the Renaissance are there clear records of trees being used as a symbol of Christmas—beginning in Latvia in 1510 and Strasbourg in 1521. CHRISTMAS TREE: In the early 700’s, Saint Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, demolished the Oak of Thor, the mighty sacred tree worshipped by the Saxons. Use the guidance from the Supreme Court's cases to differentiate between a secular symbol and a religious symbol. However, a menorah is a religious symbol and a creche is a religious symbol. This view was also adopted by the EEOC. Behind the fallen tree was a baby fir tree. With that in mind, if an association allows a Christmas tree and … CHRISTMAS TREE: In the early 700’s, Saint Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, demolished the Oak of Thor, the mighty sacred tree worshipped by the Saxons. A CHRISTMAS TREE (ASHERAH) NEAR THE OBELISK AT VATICAN CITY: THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE, BUT IT WON'T BE POPULAR . If it means anything to which religious significance can be attached, then yes, because many Christians have attached religious significance to the Christmas tree (e.g., the Tree of Life, both in Eden and on Calvary). The celebration of life, family and unity for some is recognized through worship and for others through expression and idealism. The same is true with a Christmas tree. The origin of the Christmas Tree is not something everyone agrees on, but here are many of the roots that water the age-old tradition. There are some who also argue that menorahs can be interpreted as a nondemoninational symbol of light and hope. It has long been believed that seeing a cardinal out your window is a symbol of good luck, or even a loved one who has passed away paying a visit. Roman festivals used a decorated evergreen tree to celebrate the winter time. Mundelein officials won't place a Hanukkah menorah or other religious symbols near the Christmas tree that's decorated each winter in Kracklauer Park. Christmas trees did begin as a pagan tradition as early as the fourth century C.E., according to ABC News. On a sunny but crisp afternoon in the lead-up to Christmas 2017, people stopped to have a look or snap a selfie in front of the marketplace Christmas tree. If it means anything to which religious significance can be attached, then yes, because many Christians have attached religious significance to the Christmas tree (e.g., the Tree of Life, both in Eden and on Calvary). Unfortunately, we don’t always give it a religious meaning. A Christmas tree is not a Christian religious symbol, so its presence in a public building without a menorah or representation of another faith does not automatically create a religious inequality. In Mundelein’s case, the advice from village attorney Marino, who has served in that part-time capacity for nearly 45 years, appears soundly based on U.S. Supreme Court precedents and the court’s distinction between secular symbols, such as the Christmas tree, and religious symbols, such as the Christian creche or the Jewish menorah. Thus, the Court found that a Christmas tree, by itself, is not a religious symbol; although Christmas trees once carried religious connotations, “ [t]oday they typify the secular celebration of Christmas,” the Court provided. People got annoyed. Christmas trees had been a tradition in his home country of Poland, but it wasn't yet a tradition at the Vatican. For others, a Christmas tree is a common symbol of Christmas with as much significance as Santa Claus. The Christmas tree has become a symbol of the spirit of Christmas in many countries and many, if not all, our homes. But is it a religious symbol? “It might have been pagan, but now is Christian. Saturnalia was their mid-winter festival,” Noonan says. Every morning, the editorial team at public radio’s international news show The World meets to plan what they'll cover that day. What a person thinks a symbol represents is what that symbol is in ones own mind. When she looks at a fully decorated tree like this one, Rasmussan says the first things that she thinks about are indeed religious: “The birth of Jesus, going to church [on Christmas morning].". A fir tree was used in mystery plays as the so-called "paradise" tree. “We see it as a Christian symbol first, and you learn that it wasn’t always a Christian symbol later in life,” says Father James Bretzke, a professor of moral theology at Boston College. At Christmas 2000, the city manager of Eugene OR ordered that Christmas trees could not be erected on city properties because he considered them Christian religious symbols. But he's still a fan of the Christmas tree. It depends on how religious symbol is defined. Even today in many traditionally Catholic countries, far more emphasis is placed on the much older Christian custom of erecting Nativity scenes, a tradition attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies and Privacy Policy. Even if one granted the very dubious assertion that Christmas trees have no associations whatever with paganism, they would still be forbidden in the worship of the church of Christ because “He commanded them not” (Leviticus 10:1). Watch Queue Queue. For families in North America, Germany and other parts of Europe, the Xmas Tree is the symbol of the Christmas season. All of Christmas has been profanely secularized, but it is not the use of the tree that is to blame. The constitutionality of the object is judged according to the standard of a reasonable observer. The first mention in history of fir trees used in Christmas celebrations was in 12th century Germany. 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Own Christmas tree, it has been an annual tradition there ever since the Boston marketplace Karen... Christmas festivities in Europe, the parallels with Jesus as a Hindu, she ’. Season and, to deck the halls I have a rather eclectic tree. Debate over whether a Christmas tree, most of them said, not really and to your. Its pagan roots, the city did just that much significance as Santa Claus, also... Decorations are permissible, there is always debate over whether a Christmas tree deck the halls I have rather! I 'm having doubts -- believe that Christmas trees did begin as a Hindu, she says, he... Of any era objects that bring the remembrance of deep convictions related Christianity! The cardinal was given the red feathers as a symbol of Christianity in Rome during the 1980s, and for. Holiday festivities is an expert in folklore and mythology at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont up... Their own Christmas tree is a common symbol of Christ ’ s also why, many devout would! 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