In 1659, a law was established in Massachusetts outlawing the celebration of Christmas, with the exception of church attendance. All rights reserved. As more German immigrants entered America, the tradition became more accepted. Eventually, the paradise tree and Christmas pyramid merged to become the modern Christmas tree. But the idea of decorating a whole tree was not common among Brits until a drawing of the royal family celebrating around a decorated Christmas tree in Windsor Castle was published by the Illustrated London News in 1848. The Yule tree lights and ornaments originally symbolized the sun, moon and stars as they looked on the Tree of Life. A CHRISTMAS TREE (ASHERAH) NEAR THE OBELISK AT VATICAN CITY:. But how did this tradition begin? This transformation of the tree symbolizes how Jesus died on a tree and was raised to new life on the third day. A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer such as spruce, pine, or fir or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas. They chose the evergreen trees because they maintained their color throughout the harsh winter months. WHAT IS A CHRISTMAS TREE? Victoria's mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, was German so she grew up having a decorated tree at Christmas time. While there is no overt reference to an evergreen treen in relation to the actual birth story of Christ, believers have attached religious meaning to the once pagan symbol. 6 Things Satan Wants More Than Anything Else, 10 Things You Can Expect in a Relationship with a Narcissist, A Prayer for True Love - Your Daily Prayer - May 19, 4 Reasons Why God Doesn't Always Answer Prayers for Healing, 10 Sins Jesus Condemns Most Harshly in Scripture. To celebrate, the people filled their homes with evergreen boughs. While many people do focus more on the dazzling aspects of the celebration, there can be beauty in the symbolism. To the Egyptians, the evergreen … The ancient Romans marked the Winter Solstice wi… Christmas trees did begin as a pagan tradition as early as the fourth century C.E., according to ABC News. An angel or star … Even in the depths of winter, the evergreen tree shows its life. A Christmas tree adorned with ornaments and lights is a centrepiece of the festive season. Many theologians defend the Christmas tree, arguing the Old Testament passage specifically applies to the practice of pagan idolatry — the worship of wooden statues as living gods. These “Christmas pyramids” evolved into wooden shelves holding figurines, candles, and even a star. European pagan customs include decorating homes with the branches of evergreen fir trees by believing that it will brighten up their dull winters and also to keep away ghosts, witches, and evil spirits. Early Romans used evergreens to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia, while ancient Egyptians used green palm rushes as part of their worship of the god Ra. Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Diego Grandi. A Christmas tree doesn’t mean anything to me. Then legend has it that a fir tree grew out of the fallen oak. One is credited to the English Benedictine monk Boniface, famous for his missionary work in Germany during the eighth century. In Northern Europe, the Celts decorated their druid temples with evergreen boughs which signified everlasting life. The Egyptians believed that this was when the sun god, Ra returned in strength. Pt. They decorated their houses with anything green that they could find. Pagans in Europe used branches of evergreen fir trees to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits during the winter solstice. The modern custom of a Christmas tree does not come from any form of paganism. While the Christmas tree originated in Germany, it was Britain's Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who popularised it in the 1840s and 1850s. "So the idea of bringing evergreens into the house started there and eventually that evolved into the Christmas tree.". The laurel wreath was a popular decoration as well. Yule festivities are a mixture of customs and beliefs going back many years before Jesus was born.. Saturnalia was a festival held between 17 and 24 December, which began in the days of the Roman Empire. This characteristic of everlasting life represents the life we have in Christ (John 3:16). The Caucasian European worshiped the evergreen tree as they were amazed by its ability to stay green during the winter. The Shape of the tree – The triangular shape of the Christmas tree has often been used to reference the Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:18-19). The principle derived from Jeremiah 10:1-5 is to not participate in idolatry. The fact that we need to ask this question indicates the object is not self-explanatory. Moravian Christians began to illuminate Christmas trees with candles, which were ultimately replaced by Christmas lights after the advent of electrification. 'Fraid not. What Is Polygamy and Why Did God Allow It? "The common story goes that [Boniface] encountered some native Germans performing some sacrifices in front of a mighty oak tree — oak trees being sacred to the god Thor," Dr Wilson said. The Evergreen tree is of course a symbol of everlasting life and light; blue and white represent snow and winter and red the blood of Jesus the Saviour. The sight of the moon hitting the snow-glistened trees reminded him of the light of Christ that came down from Heaven. It means Christmas trees are part of Christmas. "Here in Australia we've embraced the European aspect of Christmas," Dr Wilson said. Distraction from Jesus – Some Christians do not place a tree in their home because the gifts and glamour take away from the celebration of the birth of Jesus. As the holidays get closer, more and more decorated Christmas trees can be seen twinkling through the windows of homes across America. Yet, as we choose in freedom how to celebrate, let us remember to offer grace to those who choose to celebrate differently. Copyright © 2021, iBelieve.com. In the mid 1500’s, Germans began using evergreen trees as a symbol of hope for the coming of spring. In 1848, the London News published an image of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their family celebrating around their decorated tree. "It's the 17th century that we really get the decorating happening, and we get a movement into the festivals and the big royal courts having these trees with the gold leaf on them, having paper decorations with candles," Dr Wilson said. The truth is that the Christmas tree and the decorations we put on the tree have ancient roots in pagan fertility traditions. In 1659, a law was established in Massachusetts outlawing the celebration of Christmas, with the exception of church attendance. The Cutting of the Tree – When the evergreen tree is cut, it is struck down to its death, only to be raised to glory in splendor as a decorated Christmas tree. The Christmas tree for a Christian no longer betokens worshiping nature. Today, there is a wide variety of traditional and modern ornaments, such as garlands, baubles, tinsel, and candy canes. Another legend of the Christmas tree stems from Martin Luther. 2 - Santa Claus's True Identity Exposed! In the ancient Egyptian tradition, many celebrations occurred around the time of the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The ancient Egyptians didn't have evergreen trees, but they had palms — and the palm tree was the symbol of Until the mid-nineteenth century, the Christmas tree was seen as a primarily pagan tradition in the United States. The symbolism of the Christmas tree can help us not only to understand the tree itself, but also understand how symbolism works. But in places like the United States, having a Christmas tree was often viewed as a foreign pagan custom until the mid-19th century. Although the specific practices were different in each country and culture, the symbolization was generally the same: to celebrate the return of life at the beginning of winter's decline. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmastime” (Encyclopaedia Britannica 2012, http://www.britannica.com/plant/Christmas-tree). Hanging decorations of any kind was outlawed, especially on Christmas trees. Find out how your answers compare. In the 16th century, the plays were banned from public in many places, which corresponds with the time in which Christians first began to bring evergreen trees into their homes to celebrate Christ. The tree was traditionally decorated with "roses made of colored paper, apples, wafers, tinsel, sweetmeats". However, starting year 700, the pagan tree was replaced by a fir tree which was considered a symbol of Christianity. But evergreen … It is also from this experience that inspired him to pen the lyrics to the 1535 Christmas hymn, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come.”. Mistletoe was revered as a sacred plant by the Celts, the Norse, … From tomorrow, anyone over the age of 16 living in country South Australia will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine, Follow our live coverage for the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic, We asked 60,000 Australians more than 600 questions on everything from pets to politics. The Choice of the Evergreen – The evergreen tree is a tree that maintains its color throughout the year. How does the evergreen represent the Christian tradition? New hope, the Sacred Fire, the Light of the World, all represented the end point of one natural cycle, and beginning of another. Here are a few reasons why. The upward pointing branches often symbolize our praise to God. Gift giving, tree decorating, and singing songs are all things that are ultimately based and rooted in the scriptures." It betokens worshiping Jesus. "Wait, you mean Jesus didn't invent the Christmas tree?" Further up north, the Vikings thought evergreens were the plants of Balder, the god of light and peace. This practice is likely to have gradually evolved from pagan rituals of past, and merged with the celebration of Christmas leading to the tree’s Christian beginnings. The Bell brings back the lost sheep into the fold. The tree of life can represent a few different things, but when it comes to Christmas … Today, Christmas trees come in all different shapes and sizes from traditional fir to artificial. Simply having a Christmas tree is not wrong since no pagan worship is taking place. But when one closely examines these claims, they seem to have little basis in fact. This photo and its reprints in America popularized the modern idea of the Christmas tree, with its glistening lights, shiny bobbles, and awaiting presents. Cortney Whiting is a wife and mom of two preteens. "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. In ancient times it was decorated with gifts people wanted to receive from the gods. Modern Christmas trees emerged in western Germany during the 16th century as Christians brought trees into their homes and decorated them with gingerbread, nuts and apples. One of the most prominent symbols during Christmas time is the, Tree. The solstice symbolized a time of renewal and hope. Yet, the biblical arguments against it are not vast either. There are several legends associated with how Christmas trees came into existence. The evergreen represented the image of God and new life in Christ. The custom became popular among nobility and spread to royal courts across Europe in the early 19th century. Evergreen trees and plants have been used to celebrate winter festivals for thousands of years, long before the advent of Christianity. "The fact that so many of us still do the turkey and the ham, placing the gifts under the tree — that's definitely something that links back to our European roots.". The Romans hung fertility symbols on trees to worship Bacchus, the Greek Dionysus. In ancient times, the goddess Asherah was known the “Queen of Heaven”. The modern Christmas tree was developed in early modern Germany (where it is today called Weihnachtsbaum or Christbaum), in which devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. "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. As reported by ABC News, Christmas trees were started as a pagan tradition beginning in the fourth century C.E. When you think of Christmas Day, one of the first images that comes to mind is the Christmas tree. What Is Purgatory and Is it in the Bible? Can Christians have a Christmas tree without being concerned they are partaking in an ungodly, even pagan ritual? The Egyptians believed that this was when the sun god, Ra returned in strength. "We eat the fish and the prawns, et cetera, but I think we are relatively traditional. Where did the tradition of the Christmas tree begin and does it have a pagan origin? The Star represents the Star of Bethlehem which guided the Three Wise Men to the stable where Jesus was born. While most people never really think about the history or the practice of putting up a Christmas tree, some Christians do not celebrate the season with an evergreen. Presents Under the tree – For some, presents under the tree represent the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus (Matthew 2:11). Beautiful Thanksgiving Prayers for Family Blessings, 4 Things a Romantic Relationship Can Never Give You. The Yule Tree was also another important symbol in pagan tradition. The lighting of the tree in Rockefeller center, as well in other hometowns often symbolizes the beginning of the holiday season. The tradition of decorating a tree is embraced by millions of people worldwide of different faiths and cultures. During the Roman festival of Saturnalia, celebrants often decorated their homes with clippings of shrubs, and hung metal ornaments outside on trees. 1 - Was Jesus Born on Dec. 25? 1 For many people today, it is primarily as a secular symbol of hope for … Typically, the ornaments represented a god — either Saturn, or the family's patron deity. After serving in the church for nearly 15 years, Cortney currently teaches at a Christian school and writes for various Christian ministries. 'Where were the contingency plans? "So at this stage he took the opportunity to convert them.". Long time ago, the evergreens were worshiped as symbols of immortality in pagan cultures, and used for warding off the evil spirits. "The idea of bringing the evergreen into the house represents fertility and new life in the darkness of winter, which was much more of the pagan themes," Dr Dominique Wilson from the University of Sydney said. 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This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. "How can that be a Christmas tree when Christ hadn't even come yet?" Most historians believe Christmas trees originated from a guild in Freiburg, Germany, who decorated evergreen trees with fruit, tinsel, wafers, and gingerbread to perform “Paradise Plays” on Christmas Eve. They instead opt for other decorations, such as a nativity to remind them of the birth of Christ. For others, the presents represent the gift of salvation we have through Jesus (Romans 3:21-22). Modern-day opposition continues: some condemn the Christmas tree because they believe that the custom of cutting down a tree, erecting it in the home and decorating it is a Pagan custom. As Germans emigrated to other parts of the world the tradition also spread. She received her Master of Theology Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE, BUT IT WON'T BE POPULAR. 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 … For generations, adorning the tree has been a holiday tradition for families across many nations. The Druids Beliefs About Mistletoe. As for the most famous symbol of the festive season, the Christmas tree… It’s possible this is a descendant of the evergreen ornaments used by both Roman revellers during Saturnalia, and traditions of tree worship during winter solstice rites in other pagan cultures, in which the evergreen represented new life in the midst of darkness and despair. Since the 19th century, Americans have embraced the evergreen tree as an annual staple to Christmas cheer. Victoria and Albert were popular royals and soon every British home had a tree decked out with decorations, candles and sweets. “Lights at Christmas represent Christ as the Light of the World. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Families who could not afford decorated trees simply stacked wood in celebration. If we take an honest look at the tradition of the Christmas tree, the roots and religious symbolism is not overwhelmingly representative of the birth of Christ. According to the legend, a fir tree grew from the fallen oak. The cultural practice of the passage happened to be the cutting and decorating of trees. While it is still a symbol of Christianity to some, to others it is simply part of December celebrations. There is no evidence of any pagan religion decorating a special holiday tree for their mid-winter festivals, although the Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a festival called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. This was a week of feasting, gift-giving and an excuse for an orgy during the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice. Yule trees go way back in Pagan tradition, and generally were outdoor live trees that were decorated with hanging candles. Answer. The early Puritan settlers did not accept the German tradition initially because of its cultic roots. However, the tradition of Christmas trees began with Protestant Christians in Germany in the 16th century. The solstice was celebrated by the Egyptians who filled their homes with green palm rushes in honor of the god Ra, who had the head of a hawk and wore the sun as a crown. Rooted in the cyclical pagan year, Christmas can be linked back to the celebration of the Winter Solstice around December 21st, a time when the night was at its longest, and the coming of the “light” was celebrated and revered. The tradition remained in Germany until the 19th century, when people began emigrating from Germany. The custom of using Christmas lights to represent the Light of Christ is attributed to Martin Luther in the late 1400’s and early 1500’s. Yule Tree: An Important Pagan Symbol. One of the symbols most closely associated with Asherah was a tree. What to Do When You Think Your Daughter Struggles with Mental Health. There is evidence of trees, or at least evergreen boughs, being associated with pagan worship. The Lights on the tree – For many Christians, candles or lights on the tree signify how Jesus came as the light into the world. She was worshipped by many civilizations in the Middle East. "That's also where the ideas of the holly and the ivy and the mistletoe come from because they're the few flowering plants at winter so therefore they hold special significance. "Boniface seized his axe and felled the tree in order to stop the pagans worshiping a false idol and the pagans were waiting for him to be struck down by lightning, but it didn't happen. It was the first widely circulated picture of a decorated evergreen Christmas tree in the US and soon the Christmas tree was in vogue. The early Puritan settlers did not accept the German tradition initially because of its cultic roots. What would it take for you to buy an electric car? In the eighth century, Germanic pagans were making sacrifices to the Greek god, Thor. The Relation Among the Christmas Tree, the Human Spine, the Pineal Gland, the Star, and Consciousness. The star placed atop the tree represents the star the wise men followed to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9). Dating back centuries before Christ, cultures brought evergreen trees, plants, and leaves into their homes upon the arrival of the winter solstice, which occurs in the northern hemisphere between December 21st and 22nd. In the ancient Egyptian tradition, many celebrations occurred around the time of the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. There are several theories and legends as to how the evergreen fir tree went on to become a symbol of Christianity. "That's one of the main origins of the Christmas tree and bringing it into the house.". AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, Live: 'Full investigation' launched amid fears of more COVID cases in Melbourne's north, Victoria records two 'likely positive cases' of COVID-19 in Melbourne's north, This battery may not be 'big' but experts say it's enough to 'petrify' energy providers, Australians like James are still stuck overseas, but 79pc of us want to keep our borders closed, How Australia has been left in the vaccine slow lane, Noosa group launches climate change plan fight, brings in lobbyists linked to Adani, Prominent UK Black Lives Matter activist shot in head in London. Other people groups, including Roman and Celtic cultures, hung evergreens during the Winter Solstice in celebration, and to keep away evil spirits and illness. The Benedictine monk cut down the oak tree where the sacrifices were taking place and converted the idolaters to Christianity. Now it may have been that a Christmas tree was a token in the past of a pagan type. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4LkZfgR0eAPt. The first comes from the English monk Boniface. Nothing could be more Christmas-y than a Christmas tree. Ultimately, the choice to celebrate with a Christmas tree during the holidays is a personal one. Originally, it represented the Tree of Life or the World Tree among early pagans. But what is the religious significance? You can find her at her blog, https://recapturefaith.com. Until the mid-nineteenth century, the Christmas tree was seen as a primarily pagan tradition in the United States. Pagan Christmas traditions. The Christmas tree is actually much older than Christianity, only in the old days it wasn't called a Christmas tree, obviously, and people didn't usually put the whole tree in their homes. The Ancient Pagan History and Evolving Meaning of the Christmas Tree, 20 Bible Verses That Honor the Blessing of Mothers, How to Support a Friend Missing Her Mom on Mother's Day, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It betokened worshiping nature, for example. The solstice symbolized a Pagan Historical Associations – Some families do not place Christmas trees in their home because of the pagan origins. Some believe the Protestant revolutionary started lighting candles in trees after walking through the woods on a snowy night. Does free registration sweeten the deal? Pagan Origins. Modern Christmas trees a German tradition When reading most historical sources on the origin of the Christmas tree, it is almost universally and offhandedly mentioned that it was borrowed from pagan religious festivals and adapted into Christianity. "That's one of the main origins of the Christmas tree and bringing it into the house." But have you ever wondered where the tradition comes from? The argument of the Bible scriptures found in Jeremiah 10 against adorning trees in your homes like pagans do, the actor says does not apply to Christmas trees. First Corinthians 10:31 states, “So, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This passage gives us freedom to choose to celebrate the birth of Christ in a way we will connect to God most intimately. The same image was published two years later in the United States in Godey's Lady's Book — though Victoria's tiara and Albert's moustache were removed to make the image more American. These plays celebrated the story of Adam and Eve. What Does the Bible Say about Narcissists? Christmas tree as a symbol. Except that Christmas trees actually have pagan origins, so there's that. Symbolically, the Christmas tree represents the human spine, which is the “tree of life“. Martin Luther was perhaps the first man to use lights on a Christmas tree.
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