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I believe that in a way a Christmas tree can mean whatever you want it to mean. For many it will be a religious symbol, particularly if it is adorned with angels and stars and the suchlike. However I am an atheist and I have a Christmas tree every year. In fact, for me, Christmas is hardly religious at all. I understand the significance of course and I'll even attend the odd carol service at the local church, but I don't think of it as a time to be closer to God or anything like that. It is more a time for fun and enjoyment, to take your mind off the fact that, if you live in Britain anyway, it has probably been raining solidly for the past month!

The history of the Christmas tree shows particularly that the tree can represent whatever you want it to represent. The first ever decoration of a Christmas tree was simply because the pagans thought it was miraculous that trees could flower in the winter time. After that though the Christmas tree became more of a Christian symbol, starting perhaps in Germany as a Protestant symbol and then rapidly spreading to the rest of Europe (the English and German royal families were closely related) and then the world. Its triangular was shape associated with the trinity, the roses the trees were decorated with symbols of the Virgin Mary. Because the trees originated in Europe, and Europeans were Christians, the tree naturally came to be seen as a Christian symbol, since the tradition only survived in Christian areas. But it seems to me there is no necessary connection with Christianity, especially nowadays with societies made up of far more complicated patterns of faiths.

A passage from the Bible highlights the divide between those who believe that tree to be Christian and religious, and those who believe it to be a pagan symbol. In Jeremiah 10:1-5 (KJV) the passage reads:

"Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good."

The question is whether this means that God forbids people to have Christmas trees in their homes, or whether God simply forbids people to worship idols. Most people could hardly be said to be worshipping their Christmas trees, and so most would argue that they are entitled to their trees.

Either way, people of all faiths and denominations (or lack thereof) have Christmas trees in their homes at Christmas time, and this to me says that the tree can hardly be a religious symbol. If it were, then only a particular group would partake of the tradition, when in reality all do. Because the tree has become associated with Christmas, it has become associated with Christianity and therefore religion. In reality I would argue it is merely one of the exciting pieces of Christmas spirit that people like to enjoy, whether or not they place a religious significance on it.

Learn more about this author, Algernon Moncrieff.
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