Christmas Tree Poll
Call me an instigator but I tend to be sensitive to anti-Christian bias, especially by institutions that claim to be neutral. Back in college I remember there was this nice holiday display that included a Menorah, a Kwanzaa symbol (sorry, I'm ignorant on this subject) and a Christmas tree. Where was the Nativity scene? Where was the Christian symbol for Christmas? The college admin gave some lousy political double-speak answer and I was offended and annoyed. I think the all inclusive display was finally complete the next year after somebody donated a Nativity to the college.
Well, this (sheesh, it is really windy tonight) brings me to my poll question. I don't associate any religious meaning with the Christmas tree. To me it is a secular but warm and memorable tradition. My church even sets up a lighted evergreen "tree" for decoration. OK. I don't think there is anything wrong with decorating for the holidays or with setting up a lighted evergreen "tree".
For those of you who do associate some religious meaning with the Christmas tree; would you mind sharing why? I would appreciate reading your thoughts. I pose a similar question to those of you who do not think the Christmas tree is a religious holiday symbol; why? Thanks for commenting!
Merry Christmas!
4 comments:
I have been passively pondering "Christmas" decorations. All the trees, lights, snowmen, etc. are often labeled as Christmas decorations and are usually removed shortly after Christmas. I would tend to see them as "winter" decorations. The only association with Christmas would be that Christmas is celebrated during winter. Another thought to ponder would be this: maybe Christmas is about trees, lights and even santa, but we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ... not "Christmas" :)
K.Martin
I don't associate it with any religious meaning either. Your right in that its a nice and memorable tradition. I always feel that we NEED to have one for Christmas... but its just tradition.
The nativity, like you said, is the #1 religious symbol for the holiday. We don't have a nice fancy one; sometimes I wish that we did. But with a little girl around... maybe not yet. we DO HAVE a "little people" play one. Its fantastic for teaching Erica the Christmas story.
*Sigh* Christmas (and the festivities surrounding it) originally had nothing to do with Christianity - a Christmas tree predates the association with Christ's birth and as such is a perfectly fine symbol of Christmas. Folks that complain that the holiday is being "secularized" or that people are forgetting the "true meaning of Christmas" are conveniently ignoring what the Christmas holiday really was prior to the Catholic push for it to be tied to celebrating Christ's birth.
I see what you are saying, "bob". So, it probably wasn't called Christmas before Christians began incorporating it, right? I agree with "K. Martin" and "becky l" on this. My family celebrates, like the Angels that announced to the shepherds, the birth of a Saviour, who is Christ, The LORD!
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