by Thomas Bailey

Created on: March 24, 2008

If a symbol has a particular meaning for a time, and then everyone forgets that meaning, is it still the same symbol? For example, if, a thousand years from now, no one remembers Nazi Germany and the swastika becomes either forgotten or takes on a new meaning, will it still be a symbol of Nazi Germany? In our time, when we see a swastika, how many of us think of the Roman Empire, which used the same symbol?

It's been said that the Christmas tree is really a pagan symbol, representing Nature, or Mother Earth, or something. I've been told not to erect a Christmas tree because I would be inadvertently worshiping in a pagan manner. Is it possible to worship a particular thing or person without knowing it? If I don't know that an evergreen tree is a pagan symbol, then is it?

Symbols are tricky things. In order for something to be symbolic, we have to know what it is that the symbol represents. If we don't, it's not a symbol. Over several centuries, the church has developed many symbols. Nothing wrong with that. I find symbolism to be a powerful means of communication. The difficulty comes when we forget the meaning of those symbols. If we forget that the colour green symbolizes the season of Epiphany on the liturgical calendar, then it might as well be blue, or yellow, or nothing, because it has no meaning to us. If we forget that the cross represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins, then why bother putting one up? Symbols are only symbols if we know what they mean.

I heard a preacher once say that we shouldn't let our children go trick-or-treating on Hallow e'en because it stems from a pagan holiday. He even went so far as to suggest that by saying "trick or treat", that the trick mentioned is a curse on the house. In other words, my six-year-old, dressed as Barbie, is inadvertently threatening to cast a spell on the house that doesn't give her what she wants. I don't think she knew that. I don't think very many homeowners today realize it either. So does Hallow e'en and all its trappings still have the same meaning if we don't what that meaning is? No.

So it is with the Christmas tree. At one time, and maybe still today for pagans, the evergreen tree was a symbol for nature, or for a goddess, or some other non-Christian deity. For Christians, it is meant to symbolize everlasting life, promised to those who Believe in Jesus Christ. We would do well to remember that. Because for most people, the Christmas tree doesn't really mean much of anything. It's just a tradition that many people follow without knowing why.

For those people, the Christmas tree is not a symbol of anything. But when we research the origins of the tradition in reference to Christmas, we find that what was once a pagan symbol has taken on a new meaning far greater than before. We ought not to forget that meaning, just as we ought not to forget that Christmas is about Jesus Christ.

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