Christian Attitudes Towards Christmas Trees
Secular Symbol, Idolatry, Pagan Rite or Christian Metaphor?
While most Christians happily accept Christmas trees, some minorities continue to disapprove of what they see as a pagan practice.
History of the Christmas Tree
Like most Christmas traditions, the usage of Christmas trees throughout history involves both Christian and pagan elements. Stories link the use of fir trees with St Boniface, who is reputed to have used their triangular shape to describe the Trinity (1). Later on, Martin Luther may have created the first candle-lit Christmas tree for his children (2). During the Middle Ages 'Adam and Eve' trees were a popular part of mystery plays (3).
On the other hand, evergreens have been used in Druidic, Roman and Egyptian religious rituals for centuries (4). The exact origin of the Christmas tree is unclear, as is the extent to which pagan rituals influenced the process. Nevertheless, many Christians believe that the origin of the tree is unimportant. Ben and Jennifer Rast of Contender Ministries admit the influence of pagan worship on the tree, but ask “Does this make Christmas trees pagan? I would say no. Many non-Christian religions also had some form of baptism practice too, but that does not make Christian baptism evil or pagan.” (5)
Historical Religious Objections to Christmas Trees
The Protestant Reformation brought with it a distrust of pomp and ceremony. This iconoclasm led to the banning of Christmas festivities. Along with carols and feasting, Christmas trees were forbidden. Puritan communities in particular rejected all forms of Christmas observance throughout the seventeenth century (6).
Christmas Trees as Biblically Condemned Idolatry
A small minority of Christians base their objections to Christmas trees on the Biblical passage Jeremiah 10:2-4. This is a satirical passage in which the prophet Jeremiah ridicules pagan idolatry, pointing out the incongruity of cutting down a tree, using half its wood for fuel and fashioning the other into an idol to be worshiped. Verse 4 states of the idol 'They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter'.
Most Christians believe that as the passage specifically refers to idolatry, it is irrelevant to the use of Christmas trees as long as the latter are not worshiped.
Christmas Trees as Secular Decoration
By far the most common attitude among Christians is that Christmas trees are simply decorations, devoid in today's secular society of any particular Christian or pagan connotations. Most Christians decorate a tree as a matter of course, using the opportunity to create family memories and make the home feel festive.
Christmas Trees as Opportunity for Scriptural Metaphor
Many Christians also use Christmas trees as object lessons, drawing on the symbolism of evergreens (everlasting life), triangular trees (the Trinity), lights (Jesus as the light of the world) and so on. This is generally recognised as using a neutral symbol to make a point, rather than referencing any inherent 'Christianity' in the trees' origins or purpose.
The Jesse Tree: A Specifically Christian Tree
One specifically Christian kind of tree is a recent innovation, known as the 'Jesse Tree'. The tree takes its name from an Old Testament Messianic prophecy, which declares "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." (Isaiah 11:1). The 'tree'--either real or artificial, and sometimes substituted with a branch or banner—is embellished with one decoration added each day. The decorations are usually handmade, and reflect the progress of the Biblical story—an apple representing the Fall, a rainbow Noah's Ark. As each ornament is added, a short Bible story discusses the significance of the decoration. The Advent-type ritual culminates on December 25 with the addition of the final ornament, a 'chi-rho' symbol which represents Christ.
References:
(1) von Staufer, Maria Hubert, "The Chronological History of the Christmas Tree", The Christmas Archives (sourced 1 October 2008).
(2) von Staufer (sourced 1 October 2008).
(3)Weiser, Francis X, Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs (Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York 1958).
(4)Weiser, Francis X.
(5) Contender Ministries Mailbag (1 December 2004), sourced 1 October 2008.
(6)Forbes, Bruce David, Christmas: A Candid History (University of California Press, LA 2007)
A traditional Christmas tree
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