The Meaning of the Christmas Tree

How the Christmas Tree is a Symbol that Participates in the Incarnation

This post originally appeared on Facebook and has been edited for Substack.

Introduction

Today, I posted on Facebook about the significance of the Christmas Tree, and it gained considerable attention, particularly after Cultish shared it on their page. I wanted to share it here and also take a moment to respond to some of the objections that have come up.

In all honesty, the majority of the objections were addressed in the original post. However, it's disheartening to observe that the overall "symbolic IQ" appears to be low among many. A significant number of people lack a comprehensive understanding of how symbolism and symbolic structures function. Additionally, there seems to be a lack of familiarity with participatory ontology. It's a regrettable state of affairs.

Nevertheless, God remains faithful. Recognizing that many individuals on the internet are like sheep without a shepherd, I refrain from passing harsh judgments. God's care extends to each one of them. I hope you find the reflection on the Christmas Tree enjoyable.

The Meaning of the Christmas Tree

Contrary to some misconceptions, Christmas trees do not have roots in paganism or the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah (As noted by Dr. Michael Heiser). This notion is a myth. Christmas trees originate from Christian traditions, drawing inspiration from classic Christian iconography from church history. The act of placing presents beneath the tree, later to be opened on Christmas morning, is a symbolic participation in the incarnation of Christ.

For a compelling comparison, examine the traditional Nativity icon alongside the customary Christmas tree.

Upon comparison, you will notice that both are adorned with a star at their apex. This represents the highest point — the principle that unites all things beneath itself. In both cases, it’s the Star of Bethlehem that points to Christ. Notably, emanating from the star at the pinnacle, beams are descending in a conical, tree-like form. This is referred to as the mandorla, signifying the descent of God's glory from heaven and permeating the earth. Sometimes on Christmas Trees, you may find an angel at the apex of the tree instead of a star. However, it doesn’t change the meaning because there is a biblical association of stars with angels (Job 38:7).

Upon closer examination of both the central body of the icon and the Christmas Tree, another striking similarity becomes evident. The icon is adorned with angels and humans, each adorned with golden saintly halos. Similarly, Christmas Trees are adorned with lights, bulbs, and an array of sparkling ornaments. In parallel, the Nativity icon revolves around Christ, bringing together diverse individuals—bridging the gap between heaven and earth, the rich and the poor, the wise and the simple, the educated and the uneducated. The lights and the diverse ornaments symbolize a multitude of people united in Christ, collectively radiating as the Light of the World (Matt. 5:14-16).

Towards the base of the icon and Christmas tree, there’s yet again, another similarity. You will find the presence of gifts. This is not coincidental. This correspondence between the Magi at the bottom of the icon and Christmas gifts at the bottom of the Christmas Tree. The gifts under the tree represent the offerings of the Magi who presented their gifts to Christ on that sacred Christmas morning (Matt. 2:1-12). Each year, as we approach our Christmas trees to bestow gifts upon our covenant children united to Christ, we emulate the actions of both the humble shepherds and revered Magi who presented gifts to the Child of the Covenant two millennia ago.

Questions and Objections

Upon reading this, certain Christians might be inclined to express, "I fail to see the connection between the two. How does the mountain depicted in the icon relate to the Christmas tree?" In fact, I have already run across some who share this sentiment.

The connection becomes apparent with a familiarity with biblical symbolism. The compression of the mountain and cave depicted in the icon into a tree is rooted in biblical connections. In the Bible, trees and mountains are intertwined, often serving as significant meeting places between God and humanity. God's encounters with Adam (Gen. 3), Abraham (Gen. 18:1-8), Moses (Ex. 3; Ex. 19-24), and Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:11-13) occurred in these "high places," underscoring their sacred importance.

Acknowledging that it might seem like a stretch to some, I previously mentioned that placing presents beneath the Christmas tree, later to be revealed on Christmas morning, symbolizes active participation in the incarnation of Christ.

The grasp of this concept should ideally be straightforward within the framework of traditional Christian ontology. However, because most people nowadays are materialists and aren’t even aware of it, some may find it easy to dismiss the idea of participation as merely "a nice sentiment imposed onto the Christmas tree."

Responding to this, I propose that dismissing participatory ontology undermines the very essence of the Bible. Consider the implications. The Bible asserts that in baptism, we participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. It also acknowledges that partaking of the Lord’s Table unworthily makes us guilty concerning the body and blood of Christ. How can such things be true without participatory ontology? These are not mere sentiments imposed upon things; they reflect the fundamental workings of the world. Disregarding participatory ontology compromises the profound truths articulated in the Bible.

Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, trees do not belong to pagan deities. They belong to God. There is not a single square inch of creation that He does not claim as His own, and the fact that we would think otherwise again confirms what I’ve said for a long time — We do not understand the implications of Christ’s Lordship. The Bible commences with the tale of a tree and concludes with the narrative of a tree in a glorious new creation. Consequently, for centuries, Christians have adorned their homes with trees, glorifying them in commemoration of Christ's first advent and anticipation of His second. Indeed, let us wholeheartedly embrace the Christian tradition with great joy. Christ is King. He has come to make the blessings flow as far as the curse is found.

If these symbolic connections are challenging to grasp, I recommend delving into the study of how the Bible utilizes symbols. Additionally, exploring works such as James B. Jordan's book titled Through New Eyes and Jonathan Pageau's contributions to The Symbolic World can provide valuable insights. These connections are foundational and understanding them better may enhance your appreciation for the symbolism inherent in these representations.