Is a Christmas tree a religious symbol?

Earlier this week I read about the airport in Seattle, Washington, removing its Christmas trees for fear of being sued by a group (or groups) who felt it was an inappropriate display of religious symbols in a government-owned facility. Give me a break.

In my mind, nativity scenes, crosses, menorahs, and the star of David are religious symbols that don't belong in government offices, but Christmas trees and wreaths have become secular symbols of the winter holiday season. People can spout off about their pagan history and how the symbolism of eternal life was hijacked by Christians later on but I don't think most people consider any of that when they view a Christmas tree today.

Christmas has a dual identity. It is celebrated as a religious holiday by Christians and as a secular holiday by those with no particular religious beliefs who want to party, gather with friends and family, exchange gifts, and share warm fuzzies. The December holiday season is simply a cultural landmark on the calendar of Western Civilization. A Christmas tree is just part of the festive winter decor. 

Think about it--many shopping districts have trees draped in lights year round, stores sell wreaths for every season, and people decorate for Halloween and spring (is an egg or a bunny a religious symbol? I don't think so).

To me, Christmas trees, colored lights, and candles in the window are simply beautiful items that brighten the darkest month of the year.

What do you think? Is a Christmas tree a religious symbol? Does it bother you to see them in hospitals, airports, public offices? I'd especially be interested in hearing the opinion of non-Christians.

December 15, 2006

Copyright 2006 Veronica McCabe Deschambault. All rights reserved. www.v-grrrl.com

Comments

[Shirley]

It’s my understanding a rabbi asked for a large menorah to be put up in the airport with a public lighting ceremony just like they do for the Christmas trees. Unfortunately, he also threatened to sue if they did not put up a menorah and continued to have the trees up. I heard the airport mgmt has agreed to put up the menorah next year, saying there was not enough time this year to honor that request (or should I say threat?). Everyone considers this an attack on Christmas and the rabbi has gotten death threats and a lot of anti-Semitism has surfaced in Seattle.

I do consider the tree a religious symbol, since it is a Christmas tree. There is also info online at various sites about the symbology of the Christmas tree. Apparently for hundreds of years, the fir tree has been associated with Christianity. The tree represents many things; e.g., the genealogy of Jesus, if you trust Wikipedia (and many don’t, but I like how much info they provide) and other info sites. Our church does a hanging of the greens each year and the minister speaks of the symbology of the greenery, the candles, etc.

However, I also understand what you mean about the tree and other decorations becoming secular as well. For many people, like you said, there is no longer any association of Christmas with anything religious—it’s just another big celebration day, like a birthday or Halloween.

It does not bother me to see Christmas trees everywhere, but I do celebrate Christmas and am a Christian. Why do we get so upset when people express discontent over only the symbols of Christmas (religious or not) being displayed? How would we feel if only menorahs at Hannukah, gilt Korans (I am not familiar with any other Muslim symbols) at Ramadan, or Kwanzaa decorations (even the USPS has Kwanzaa stamps) in December were displayed? I think we’d be very upset. I think it’s very ironic that “we” left England for religious freedom, yet we don’t always allow it. I don’t think we do a good job of putting ourselves in other’s shoes IMHO. I lean towards letting there be more of a display of all cultures. People have been saying “Happy Holidays” for years and now people are taking offense at it because they think it’s secular … I think people say it not because it’s secular, but because it covers everything and it’s fun to say.

Just some thoughts of mine …

[xena]

I believe Christmas trees and wreaths are still symbols of the Christian holiday. We have had this discussion with good friends who are not Christian and they absolutely see these deccorations as Christian Christmas decorations. Frankly, I thing the secularization of Christmas has been and "inside job", one we Christians did ourselves.
If I ask myself what I think of when I see a wreath or decorated pine tree it is never Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. What comes to mind is always Christmas.

Shirley's last paragraph sums up my feelings about these matters nicely.

[amber]

Ugg. I'm just so sick of everyone being so freaking touchy! I am a Christian, and I don't give a rip if I see symbols of other faiths. It isn't offending to me at all. So stupid, IMO. Who cares if it is a Christian symbol or not? And really, I agree with you, even though many Christians can point to the Christian symbolism of the tree, I bet most people don't know that. And that is not why they have a tree during the holidays. It is a holiday tree. I have jewish friends who have one just for kicks.
People need to lighten up!

:)

[JMo]

X-mas as a dual holiday? - absolutely. I do not have a faith but I continue (raised Lutheran) to celebrate the holiday by exchanging gifts. The only thing that bothers me about any of this is that people are actually getting bent out of shape about it. GET OVER IT!

To the rabbi: get your request for display of holiday decoration turned in a little earlier next year and put your threatened lawsuit in the trash can. There are better uses of our legal system.

To those who threaten the rabbi: Read the Constitution and try to comprehend the line "all men are created equal"... His rights are the same as yours. Put a little more rum in the eggnog and relax.

To the rest of you: Merry Christmas. If you are not a Christian, I suggest that you simply accept the greeting with a smile and return the favor on your chosen holiday.

[Arabella]

I honestly don't know the answer as to whether a Christmas tree is a Christian symbol. If so, when does a decorated tree cross the line into being a Christmas tree? It doesn't bother me in the slightest to see Christmas trees in public places--in fact, I rather enjoy it, although I am a Christian. I also enjoy seeing other holiday symbols in public places. I think menorahs are simply beautiful. I had planned to buy one last year for that reason alone, but the two or three that I found and really liked were way out of my price range. I, too, generally tend to favor display of all religions as opposed to display of none.

[brooke]

I don't think of the Christmas tree as a religious symbol, but a festival of lights. And yes, they are beautiful to look at. But I also feel that way about the menorah. It is a series of candles to show a celebration - how is that any more, or any less, something beautiful to look at? If it is true about the rabbi, then I find that sad. Threats of lawsuits are no way to teach tolerance.

[Rhea]

I definitely do see Christmas trees as a religious symbol. I am Jewish and grew up in a mostly Gentile town. I adore Christmas lights and a lot about the whole holiday season, but the trees are definitely a symbol of Christmas to me.

[mamatulip]

I've never looked at the Christmas tree as a religious symbol, but I'm not very religious. I'm not offended by any religious symbols and stories like this one make feel a bit bummed out. It just seems to me that there are so many worthy things nowadays to get up in arms about -- Christmas trees, in my opinion, isn't one of them. If people could just go on with our day-to-day lives, and faiths, without being so defensive, maybe they'd enjoy this time of year more, and the various meanings it has for different people.

[Mary-LUE]

I was just reading a blog in which the woman, a celebrity who has a book out about her journey into letting go of God, discusses her "issues" with Christmas. She says she sees "Jesus stuff" everywhere at Christmas. I was a little amused because all I see is "Christmas" stuff, not Jesus stuff. So, she doesn't believe in God and notices all the Christian stuff and I do believe in God and see all the non-Christian aspects of Christmas. I guess that is human nature.

Societally speaking, I think it isn't a religious symbol overall. Unless you were raised in the church or have Christian friends, more and more, it is entirely possible you wouldn't even know who Jesus is. My daughter's friend was over and asked about our Christmas stockings. She pointed to a particular one and asked whose it was. My daughter told her is was Jesus' stocking. Who? Jesus, my daughter impatiently explained. Who's that?

I do think it is overkill to try to take anything that is a religious symbol out of any and every little thing regardless of whether you believe in it or not. Recently (the last few years) a group has sued to have the crosses taken off of the emblem of the Los Angeles Police Department. They claim it is a violation of the seperation of church and state. ???? It is merely a nod to California history and the missions that were here. Are we going to remove everything religious even if there is a historical reason for it? Does anyone really think the LAPD is promoting Christianity with a cross on 1/4 of their emblem?

Okay... I'm a ramblin' gal tonight. I don't think I'm making any sense.

Summing up: No, I don't think a Christmas tree is a religious symbol. I think it is one of many symbols that were "co-opted" by Christians to absorb the pagan cultures into Christianity a gazillion years ago and has now been co-opted back by a world in which many, many people don't believe in Christ. In fact, when I was growing up, some very conservative churches didn't think you should have a Christmas tree because of the pagan connections. You can't win for losing. Short of not having a Christmas holiday at all or changing the name to have it not be "Christ"mas, it is going to always be a muddle.

[TB]

The third week of december is a holiday for so many... Christians, Jews, Pagans, African Americans, it seems we could open our world views and display symbols of all of these cultural celebrations.
That said, as an agnostic, I do associate the tree with Christmas, but also winter solstice as the lights represent candles lit against the darkness of the longest night of the year.