what does the "tree" in chritmas represent??

Question

why do you ( people who celebrate christmas) have a tree. what does it rep. ? whats th point of having it?

Answer 1

It represents the tree that was decorated outside when Baby Jesus was born. It was decorated with gifts from visitors.

Answer 2

The tree, wreaths, and the yule log were part of the winter festivals and the celebration of the winter solstice prior to the birth of Christ. They were incorporated into the celebration of the Christian holiday. The same with Easter. The pagans celebrated the coming of Spring and new life. To the pagan,eggs and baby animals were part of their celebration of spring when they recognized the wonder of new life. These too, were incorporated into the Christian holiday of Easter. The incorporation of these pagan rituals into the Christian holidays made the idea of
Christ more palatable for the masses. Christ was not born in December nor was he crucified in the spring. But the Church designated this as his birthday during the winter solstice and his death at Easter to try to supplant the pagan religion.

Answer 3

The christmas tree was first worshiped by the pagans during the winter solstice because in the winter it was the only tree that didnt loose its leaves so they thought it had a special mening. later the romans picked up the tradition and started to cut down the trees and bring them inside during the winter solstice. when the romans swiched over to christanity they still kept bringing the trees in side i dont know why. and now to this day when we celebrate christmas we put a fur tree in the house and call it a christmas tree.

Answer 4

The modern christmas tree tradition was imported to the United States by the Germans (O' Tanenbaum). The evergreen tree is a metaphor for everlasting life, a cornerstone of Christian teaching.

Answer 5

It's left over from the pagan festival that Christmas used to be before the Church decided to make up the Nativity Story to keep people from celebrating the pagan holiday.

Answer 6

The Christmas tree today is a common custom to most of us. There are many interesting connections to ancient traditions such as Egyptian and Roman customs, early Christian practices, and Victorian nostalgia. However, most scholars point to Germany as being the origin of the Christmas tree.

One of the earliest stories relating back to Germany is about Saint Boniface. In 722, he encountered some pagans who were about to sacrifice a child at the base of a huge oak tree. He cut down the tree to prevent the sacrifice and a Fir tree grew up at the base of the oak. He then told everyone that this lovely evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was a holy tree - the tree of the Christ child, and a symbol of His promise of eternal life.

Another story from Germany is about Queen Victoria. She often visited relatives in Germany and while she was there, she fell in love with Prince Albert. After they were married, they moved back to England to raise their family. Prince Albert decorated a tree and ever since that time, the English, because of their love for their Queen, copied her Christmas customs including the Christmas tree and ornaments. This story took place in the 19th century, around 1830.

Another story about the origin of the Christmas tree says that late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope that spring would soon come.

Another legend that has not been proved is that Martin Luther is responsible for the origin of the Christmas tree. This story says that one Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through the snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of the snow glistened trees. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moon light. When he got home, he set up a small fir tree and shared the story with his children. He decorated the Christmas tree with small candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.

Research into customs of various cultures shows that greenery was often brought into homes at the time of the winter solstice. It symbolized life in the midst of death in many cultures. The Romans were known to deck their homes with evergreens during of Kalends of January 15. Living trees were also brought into homes during the old Germany feast of Yule, which originally was a two month feast beginning in November. The Yule tree was planted in a tub and brought into the home. But there is no evidence that the Christmas tree is a direct descendent of the Yule tree. Evidence does point to the Paradise tree however. This story goes back to the 11th century religious plays. One of the most popular was the Paradise Play. The play depicted the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and their banishment from Paradise. The only prop on the stage was the Paradise tree, a fir tree adorned with apples. The play would end with the promise of the coming Savior and His Incarnation. The people had grown so accustomed to the Paradise tree, that they began putting their own Paradise tree up in their homes on December 24.

Whatever legend you wish to pass on, remember that Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The origin of the Christmas tree can't change that fact.

Answer 7

The tree represents how people want to take Christ out of Christmas. It is also evident with the use of the word Xmas, and the big fat man who has nothing to do with Jesus the Christ.

Since I doubt there was much coniferous trees where Jesus was born, nor did they have many fat ppl dressed in super warm clothing while using their super pagan powers to distribute toys.

Answer 8

Capitalism

Answer 9

Why do you have symbols in YOUR religion. The christmas tree, because it is an evergreen, symbolizes that Christianity will never die. No matter what other religions( muslim) try to do to force its end

Answer 10

It is only useful for angels