Hi from snowy Canada. What does the christmas tree represent?
2007-12-19 03:36:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Christmas tree comes to us from Germany. Martin Luther is credited with being inspired by the starry heavens one night, and expressing his feelings to his family by bringing a fir tree into his home, and attaching lighted candles to its branches. Fir meant fire, and fire is an ancient symbol for spirit. The tree also pointed toward the heavens.
Evergreens were thought to represent the ever-burning fire of life. The color green signified the life force through the year. Eventually decorative balls represented the planets, while the star that radiates from the top reminds us of Bethlehem. The entire tree and decorations teach us that the universe is witness to the Incarnation.
Red at Christmas reminds us of the fire of the Spirit. Green affirms nature, and the ongoing life. And in the Incarnation, Spirit unites with nature.
The Christmas tree symbolizes to many a further appreciation of Jesus' birth. It is a means of retelling a miracle in a colorful and beautiful way so that we can further understand and appreciate Jesus' entering our world.
Triangular Tree=The Trinity
Points upward to God
Evergreen=Forever Eternal
Green=Life
The needles grow upward like hands praising/praying to God
Lights=Heaven
Gifts=Charity and Love
The tree is also believed to be a reinterpretation of pagan rites, along with the use of other greens and decorations to commemorate in ancient times a celebration of the feast of Saturnalia - the birth of the Sun in the sky at the Winter Solstice. Along with the giving of gifts, the feast was later Christianized with the selection of December 25th to announce the birth of the Son of God to the world.
The tree also tells the story of a cosmic event - a mystery. In personal celebrations of Christmas the tree begins its use in the 16th century, and is later brought to America by German immigrants.
2007-12-19 03:49:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Christmas tree comes from pre-Christian beliefs.
It was seen as a symbol of life and green things returning in the spring. People used to be afraid that in the winter, if they didn't do something to please the gods or make the sun want to come back and lengthen the days again, there would always be winter forever.
St Patrick probably helped to make it what it is today, as a way to help people understand the Trinity.
A man may have been the one to put the first lights on the tree. He was coming home one night and saw tons of stars through the branches in the trees. He wanted to describe it to his family so he put candles on it.
2007-12-19 11:44:36 · answer #2 · answered by rvnurse2b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happy Holiday Season Back to ya! Canada!!!
I Like Christmas Trees!!!
It is in the Bible, sorry not a scholar, but they chop down a tree, set it upright and deck it with silver and gold---pagan I think.
It's O.K. to decorate a tree!
Just make Sure Jesus is Your Saviour FIRST!!!
Then, you have Less Chance of Getting Decieved!!!!
You Guys Still Throwing Dead Fish into the River Upstream so the Water Treatment Plants can Take Out 2?% of Pollutents?
See, the water isn't Polluted at all, but you have to Follow the Laws---so I heard that they Throw In Dead Fish so that they could----NeverMind. :)
2007-12-19 11:46:27 · answer #3 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And a Merry Christmas to you!
The tree is an ancient pagan symbol taken predominately from the Roman pantheon of religion. It was used in the celebration of Saturnalia (Saturn/Zeus in Greek mythology). People would tie apples to the tree for a fruitful harvest, and a great new year.
Along the historical path, Christians subsumed this tradition into their own and now give gifts (thanks to the Magi) during Christ's birth. The gift giving and tree concepts were merged into our modern decorative trees with presents underneath.
Santa Claus, St. Nicholas the monk, also has been worked into the tradition by providing presents to good girls and boys.
Ath
2007-12-19 11:41:56 · answer #4 · answered by athanasius was right 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Merry Christmas, and a happy new year. ^__^
And the tree is a Germanic pagan tradition that spread from there to christianity in general after the English royal family (who were German at the time) adopted the tradition to make themselves more comfortable.
Besides, it's pretty :D
2007-12-19 11:44:37 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greetings and Best Wishes to You and Yours too. The Christmas Tree is a bastardization of the Yule Log from the Pagan. Christianity adapted many Pagan rituals and rites in order to get folks to buy into it. It also represents the commercialism that has become Christmas...that one more ornament, etc...PEACE!
2007-12-19 11:40:54 · answer #6 · answered by thebigm57 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Merry Christmas & may your wish come true next year.........
Crazy Irishmen from Stuttgart
2007-12-19 11:40:20 · answer #7 · answered by Kokujo- Evil Pervert & Genius! 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You'll get a violation for that, Merry Christmas., now i'll get one.
2007-12-19 11:39:29 · answer #8 · answered by Rosie 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I hope you have a happy holiday too.
2007-12-19 11:39:10 · answer #9 · answered by clint 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
christmas
2007-12-19 11:39:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋