Why do Christians decorate christmas trees? Is there any particular reason for it? And the star on top, what does it signify?
2006-12-20 02:04:38 · 24 answers · asked by kmanevil 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
King Tut never saw a Christmas tree, but he would have understood the tradition which traces back long before the first Christmas, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture with the Springfield Extension Center.
The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrive, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.
The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.
Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.
Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions.
2006-12-20 02:09:56 · answer #1 · answered by naty 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The Christmas tree, in my opinion, is the symbol of the Cross. we celebrate the birth of our Savior,who came to give His life on a tree. So the tree is a symbol of life. The star on top symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem that led the shepherds and wise men to the stable where Jesus was born. I think it's a shame in a way that the Christmas tree is so celebrated, decorated and outright idolerated. People pay a high price for a tree that will wilt and die instead of celebrating the REAL meaning of Christmas. I used to have a tree, but no longer put one up when I realized that it was a waste of my money to sit in front of a tree instead of sitting at Jesus' feet. What a difference!
2006-12-20 03:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by preachingmissy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
naty, you've done a fine job explaining.
The Druids used that evergreen as natures promise of renewal during the winter solstice.
The trees were originally dug and replanted in spring by the Tianic peoples as a promise of renewal and a reminder that freezing days were soon over. The tree is a source of spiritual renewal and healing.
Like with any religion that wants to build masses of followers the Protestant faiths and Catholicism adopted the beliefs of a multitude of faiths and put them into practice. So people would follow them.
The Yule tree, Yule Log, Mistletoe and Holly were adopted to bring in believers or just to keep traditions.
The trinity and ritual mass were adopted. Halloween and Easter as well as May day celebration and Innet went with tradition finally slowly being dissolved into more fitting holy days.
En Tis Blethec. Thank you naty
2006-12-20 02:32:02 · answer #3 · answered by tian_mon 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the Christmas tree symbolizes life
2014-12-17 09:11:44 · answer #4 · answered by Hirschikiss 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tree is a pagan symbol from european countries, germany, blgium and holland.
When europeans moved to america they took their traditions with them. Christians tried to convert them and the tree got intto nchristianity like theserpent in eden and maryolatry in catholicism.
The star as the star of bethlehem.
2006-12-20 02:09:50 · answer #5 · answered by TROLL BOY 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The star or the angel...is to mark the north star the shepherds followed or or the angel chorus proclaiming "Gloria, in excelsis deo"
the tree is a Pagen symbol of fertility and eternal life (evergreen..get it...green is life...it never loses its leaves...so it is green --figuratively--forever).
The lights are symbols of the heavens and of the sark of life...actually...the lights (electric) were because of Edison...he devorated his tree with a set of home-made...people liked them and he capitolized ont he market...used to be candles...but firemarshal bill decided that was a bad idea...you know...no one likes baked family for Christmas.
2006-12-20 02:11:27 · answer #6 · answered by silverback487 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Read Jeremiah 10:2-4
This is what the LORD says:
"Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.
2006-12-20 02:15:13 · answer #7 · answered by By Any Means Necessary 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
There is all the pagan vodo who do crap,but I do it because it smells so nice in the house and It looks so pretty. And I am so very thankful that Jesus looks into my heart and knows I am not worshiping a tree.Believe it or not God wants us to enjoy life.And I praise Him for that,so Happy Birthday Jesus and thanks for the tree that you created and not man.Gen. 1:11-13 tells us that God created the trees.Pagans cannot take what God has created and make anything out of it.Christians have made it to be something good and that is what God has wanted for us from the beginning.
2006-12-20 02:11:40 · answer #8 · answered by don_steele54 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I didn't know that only Christians had Christmas trees.
2006-12-20 02:07:13 · answer #9 · answered by MsFancy 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
God the father describes himself as an evergreen tree, never changing, where, in its shadow you will find protection and shelter from the storms in life. Also, in the Garden of Eden, Christ is in fact the "tree of life" there.
The evergreen tree is a symbol of our God.
2006-12-20 02:13:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋