Article 2, Vol 3 January 19, 2013
Finding justification to put up the Christmas tree up every year started to cloud my mind. Why? I would ask. The answer I received from different persons would be words to this effect, "Well, you know we being doing this a long time. " Then, I ask, "Does the tree have anything to do with the birth of Jesus?" This question would generate a lot of different answers, some would say yes, others would say no, and many would admit that they didn't know. However, most of them could not support their .
So, I did my own research, and my findings supported my long felt belief - Christmas trees do not have anything to do with the birth of Christ.
***See my research, in part, below.
My thoughts went back to Christmas 2011. Two sisters at a local church spent about 2 hours trying to screw in the parts of an artificial Christmas tree. Two men came by and offered their help. Still, after an hour, the four of them could not figure out how to put the tree together. The men had to leave. The women spent about another hour trying to make the parts fit. They were unsuccessful.
Finally, they gave up and went to the store and bought another tree. Hallelujah. That was a wonderful idea. One of the women, lamented, "Why didn't we do that earlier?"
Since the tree does not relate to Jesus birth or Christmas, I figure, why don't I just leave it up at home year round.
This is my story:
The Christmas Tree Story
Finding justification to put up the Christmas tree up every year started to cloud my mind. Why? I would ask. The answer I received from different persons would be words to this effect, "Well, you know we being doing this a long time. " Then, I ask, "Does the tree have anything to do with the birth of Jesus?" This question would generate a lot of different answers, some would say yes, others would say no, and many would admit that they didn't know. However, most of them could not support their .
So, I did my own research, and my findings supported my long felt belief - Christmas trees do not have anything to do with the birth of Christ.
***See my research, in part, below.
My thoughts went back to Christmas 2011. Two sisters at a local church spent about 2 hours trying to screw in the parts of an artificial Christmas tree. Two men came by and offered their help. Still, after an hour, the four of them could not figure out how to put the tree together. The men had to leave. The women spent about another hour trying to make the parts fit. They were unsuccessful.
Finally, they gave up and went to the store and bought another tree. Hallelujah. That was a wonderful idea. One of the women, lamented, "Why didn't we do that earlier?"
Since the tree does not relate to Jesus birth or Christmas, I figure, why don't I just leave it up at home year round.
This is my story:
The Christmas Tree Redefined
"The Prosperity Tree"
Nope, I am not taking my Christmas tree down this year. Too much trouble.It's going to be a year - round special occasions tree.
In January, we are going to use it to put our gifts under for birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
The green leaves is going to mean we got a little bit of money, and some green veggies.
In February, we gonna put our Valentine Day gifts under the tree.Then we gonna Give God the praise like we always do. Them green leaves gonna represent we got a little bit of money and some Green veggies.
In March, we gonna celebrate the beginning of Spring. We gonna thank God for bringing us through another winter.Then we gonna prepare for the oncoming farming season, even if we don't farm, somebody gotta farm if we want to eat. Also, we gonna celebrate Palm Sunday, the Passover and Resurrection Sunday.
`We gonna look at that tree and them green leaves, and in our mind they are going to represent life, grace and gratitude.
Well, that's the first quarter of the year. More to come. But that is enough for now.
So, in March my former Christmas tree will still be standing tall. But it is going to have a new name,
It's gonna be known as, "The Prosperity Tree."
*** The Christmas tree is full of symbolic meaning for the Christian tradition, but there is no immediate between Jesus and the practice. However, the evergreen has a rich history of religious significance among pagan cultures, which is why some Christians have rejected the tradition outright. {1} see credit
Long before it was incorporated into the Christian tradition, the Solstice Evergreen was a common pagan symbol in many cultures throughout the world. The tree was a reminder of the life that never dies in pagan cultures. {2}
History clearly shows that the origin of the Christmas tree usage was started by the pagan. {3}
Today, however, Christians and Catholics have put forth justifications that sounds good to them to justify the usage of the Christmas tree during the Christmas season.
{1} {2} {3} What's in the Bible, and information from a variety of historical sources on the Internet.
Also, my research included other books and material on the subject.
Copyright 2013 Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved.
