1 of 43

Yes

Write now Article Tools

Is the Christmas tree a religious symbol? My response is "Yes" ... and "No!" I don't think that the Christmas Tree was ever intended to be a religious symbol , in fact its history can be traced to pagan roots; but I believe that the Christmas tree is deeply spiritual. I love to turn out all the lights in the house, plug in the Christmas Tree, and lay down on the couch.I drink in the wonderment of the flickering Lights on the tree. My heart is gripped and enveloped by a sense of serenity and peace. In the stillness I am drawn into a closer relationship with the Lord. As I stare at the Christmas Tree my heart begins to pray the words of the last verse of the Christmas Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem:

O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray,
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell,
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Immanuel.

As I drink in the flickering Lights of the Christmas tree I am refreshed and renewed. Truly The Christmas tree has a deeply spiritual significance for me.

As I stare in wonderment at the Christmas tree I am also reminded that trees have deep significance in the Scriptures. In the Garden of Eden there were two important trees: The Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life. Adam and Eve were informed by God that they could eat of each and every Tree in the garden, except for the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. They were told if they ate of that tree they would die. They were both enticed by The evil and drawn away from the Lord and ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of good and Evil. They became sinners, and were subject to the wrath of God. Darkness and death came to the earth. God put a guard of heavenly angels with flaming swords around the Tree of Life so that sinful man could not get near to it. Because of the sin of mankind sin entered and sin was followed by bondage and death.

There is one more tree in Scripture that has deep significance for us- The Tree of Golgatha- Calvary's cross. Jesus Christ offered Himself for us as our sin sacrifice. He was the lamb of God that laid down His life for us, even though we did not deserve it. He died for us.He became a curse for us. Galatians 3: 13 says, " Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree!"
The cross is the most important tree of all. When Jesus died on it for us He came as the Light of the world to shine brightly in our world and push back the darkness of sin's night. Each time I look at the flickering Lights of the Christmas tree I am reminded that Jesus Christ died for me so His light can shine in my sin darkened heart and bring me light and life and freedom from bondage . The Christmas tree truly has a strong spiritual significance for me. For this reason my heart crys out with the Carol Writer:

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas tree!
How richly God has blessed Thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God so unchangingly,
O Christmas tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!"

Truly the Christmas tree has deep spiritual significance. I am so thankful it points me to Bethlehem's Child, who wsa born to be Immanuel, God with Me in all of life. He came as Light to push back the darkness. The Christmas tree reveals to me The Living Lord!

Learn more about this author, Ed Ostrom.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Is the Christmas tree a religious symbol??
We want to hear your view. Write now!