I once attended a Christian program where the Sunday School teachers taught kids how to paint up a neat Easter egg. In my mind, I was thinking about the Easter egg being a symbol of paganism and fertility, so how are the teachers going to share a Christian message through the Easter egg handicraft? They eventually did that by redeeming the Easter egg for Christ. They talked about the egg being a symbol for newness of life. And I thought that went really well. So that was years ago. Then in recent years, I read about Halloween being redeemed for Christ. Just a cursory Google search would reveal that here has been no lack of good Christian articles about redeeming Halloween for Christ. Yet I found it pretty tough searching for one about Christmas trees. Some articles makes you jump through hoops before you can read them. Most talks about origin stories. Some articles shows us how one ought to guard against spiritual pride in judging those who choose to include Christmas trees in their celebrations (Romans 14:5-6a). Some talks about the misuse of Jeremiah 10:1-16 and Isaiah 44 in condemning Christmas trees. Still have yet to find what I was looking for. So I decided to collaborate with ChatGPT to come up with an article specifically about redeeming symbols. I say “collaborate” because much pruning and grafting needs to be done although I’d say ChatGPT did the heavy lifting as the start of any writing assignment is always the hardest. So here goes…
As Christmas is round the corner, many households around the world begin the festive tradition of decorating Christmas trees. However, some individuals express concerns about the origins of the Christmas tree, associating it with pagan symbolism. To be fair, the use of evergreen trees in winter celebrations predates Christianity and can be traced back to various ancient cultures. While some argue that this practice has pagan roots, we believe that it can be redeemed through the infusion of Christian significance. In this article, we explore the idea of redeeming the evergreen tree – God’s creation, transforming it into a meaningful symbol that honors the birth and return of Jesus Christ. Here are the 7 symbolic meanings to the Christmas tree.
1. **Symbol of God’s Salvation Plan:**
Transforming the Christmas tree involves choosing ornaments that reflect Christian values and themes. Angels, stars, crosses, and nativity scene ornaments can be incorporated to convey the true meaning of Christmas. This intentional selection transforms the tree into a visual representation of the story of Jesus’ birth. Even the Christmas presents around the tree is already a well known symbol for Jesus being the greatest gift to us. The most visually obvious and widely accepted symbol incorporated in the Christmas tree is the star of Bethlehem perched right atop the tree as a reminder of God’s divine plan in leading and guiding lost seekers to King Jesus.
2. **Symbol of Everlasting Life:**
The evergreen tree, with its vibrant green needles even in the midst of winter, can be seen as a powerful symbol of everlasting life. As Christians, we can redeem the Christmas tree by associating it with the eternal life offered through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. **Symbol of Jesus as the Light of the World:**
When we adorn the Christmas tree with lights, we can view it as a representation of Jesus as the “Light of the World.” The twinkling lights on the tree can symbolize the light that entered the world through the birth of Christ, bringing illumination to the darkness of sin and despair. It can also be a powerful symbol of Christ’s expectation of His church being salt and light; a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
4. **Symbol of Christ’s call to His Church:**
The Christmas tree with all its glittering lights can also be a powerful symbol of Christ’s expectation of His church being salt and light; a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
5. **Symbol of Honouring the Creator:**
Instead of viewing the Christmas tree as a borrowed pagan symbol, one can see it as a celebration of God’s creation. The beauty and diversity of evergreen trees can be a reminder of the Creator’s artistry. This perspective shifts the focus from the tree itself to the One who made it. Notice how the Christmas tree is shaped like an arrow pointing upwards to the heavens? Let that be a symbol of creation giving glory to the Creator of heaven and earth.
6. **Symbol of Christ’s Second Coming:**
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” Revelation 22:14 (ESV)
The Christmas tree can also be a symbol for Christ’s return, when He will make all things new and in that new heaven and new earth stands the tree of life.
7. **Symbol of the Cross of Jesus**
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)
Need I say more?
Just as Jesus redeemed the cross (previously a symbol of torture and death) to a powerful symbol of hope and life, the Christmas tree can too be redeemed from paganistic symbolism to a salvific symbol of light and life in Jesus. Blessed Christmas!
Disclaimer: Any believer not fully convinced should not go against his/her conscience (Romans 14) (Seriously, it’s fine. Can always agree to disagree on non-essentials).
Christmas tree origami making at TF-Enoch Christmas program at Blk 180 MWS Active Aging Centre on 1 Dec 2023.