Because of Jesus Christ, we can have ever lasting life (see 3 Nephi 5:13), so we can choose to see the ever green tree as a natural symbol of Him and His gift to us. "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. So, you really appreciate those trees that are evergreen.”, “They remind you that winter is not going to last forever, and they cheer everything up.”. Thank you all for helping us reach our goal of 1,000 donors. “It might have been pagan, but now is Christian. A green, thriving tree in the dead of winter reminded people of hope and new life. Christmas Trees. Boniface said, "le… From its roots grew a fir tree which Boniface took as a sign of the Christian faith. And when asked if they saw religious meaning in the 80-plus-foot-tall tree, most of them said, not really. Christmas trees had been a tradition in his home country of Poland, but it wasn't yet a tradition at the Vatican. A very serious Christian friend told me that the Christmas tree originated as a symbol of pagan idolatry. 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. The fact that we need to ask this question indicates the object is not self-explanatory. Before electric Christmas tree lights were invented, families would use candles to light up the tree. As we come together to observe the holidays many of us enjoy the festivities of Christmas and its many traditions. Want to see what's on deck? All of Christmas has been profanely secularized, but it is not the use of the tree that is to blame. 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. I am having a hard time explaining why a christmas tree makes me feel like a phoney. But she says she still has one at her home with presents underneath it for the kids. However, it has been an annual tradition there ever since. Aside from Christmas trees, gift exchanging, Christmas greetings sent through cards and the inevitable presence of Santa Claus, Singaporeans have recently acquired a taste for imported mince pies and Christmas puddings to add … Few know its use by pagans of any era. The constitutionality of the object is judged according to the standard of a reasonable observer. For families in North America, Germany and other parts of Europe, the Xmas Tree is the symbol of the Christmas season. But the evergreen tree naturally fits in with Christianity. 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. Many Christmas emblems convey different religious messages that actually Jesus Christ wanted to convey to the mankind. The following text is drawn from our featured Christmas book and is also available for free as audio.. Lighted trees were certainly used in various pagan religious celebrations throughout history, but contrary to popular belief, there does not appear to be any direct link between the pagan rituals and the Christmas tree. Christmas tree, live or artificial evergreen tree decorated with lights and ornaments as a part of Christmas festivities. The World is a public radio program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter. What is the story behind the Vatican Christmas Tree? 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. 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. Christmas trees are a decoration that Christians incorporated into their celebration of the holiday over the centuries. 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. But historically speaking, Noonan says there is evidence of Christmas trees from at least the early 1500s in Germany. The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. 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). Christmas tree is one of the most popular Christmas symbols. The Christmas tree is the most visible and frequent symbol for Christmas. However, a menorah is a religious symbol and a creche is a religious symbol. THE … 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. 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. … Although civic buildings tend to veto religious expressions of the holidays, Los Angeles City Hall has put on display a Christmas tree and a menorah. … The intention was to remove any potentially offensive religious connotations contained in the name “Christmas tree.”. But he's still a fan of the Christmas tree. They were made from heavy fabric, often decorated and with fancy frills around the edges, and were used either on the floor, or on tables, and went under the trees and their stands - rather than 'around' them. While Christmas trees are traditionally associated with Christian symbolism, their modern use is largely secular. The first mention in history of fir trees used in Christmas celebrations was in 12th century Germany. They represented everlasting life and hope for the return of spring. Unfortunately, we don’t always give it a religious meaning. “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. We couldn’t have done it without your support.