CHRISTMAS TREES

QUESTION: Should Christians celebrate Jesus birth with Christmas trees?

ANSWER: Some Christians object on the basis that at one time or another, mankind has worship practically everything in creation—including trees. Today they even hug them. I see absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional Christmas tree.

It is believed that Boniface, English missionary to Germany in the eighth century, instituted the first Christmas tree. He supposedly replaced sacrifices to the god Odin's sacred oak with a fir tree adorned in tribute to Christ. Other accounts claim that Martin Luther introduced the Christmas tree lighted with candles.

However, even if a pagan background were clearly established, that wouldn't mean we could not enjoy the use of a Christmas tree.

Most people do not even know about this religious superstition. Similarly, few know anything about the worship of trees. When a child pulls a large present out from under the Christmas tree and unwraps a present, no one views that object as an idol. Nor do we view the Christmas tree to be some kind of gift god. We understand the difference between a toy and an idol just as clearly as we understand the difference between an idol and a Christmas tree.

There is no connection between the worship of idols and the use of Christmas trees. We should not be anxious about baseless arguments against Christmas decorations. Rather, we should be focused on the Christ of Christmas and giving all diligence to remembering the real reason for the season.