Traditions of Christmas. Part 3

The holiday season is time for memories. Hot chocolate by a fire watching it snow outside. Gathering with family and listening to the chatter of long-overdue “catching up.” Singing Christmas carols with the pleasant…sometimes unpleasant...voices of friends and neighbors. Many of our fondest memories are focused around the pinnacle of our Christmas decorations—the Christmas tree. Pulling out the ornaments and reminiscing as each memory is hung. Sitting in front of the illuminated tree and reading the Christmas story of the New Testament. Watching children tear into presents with eyes as wide as the saucer of milk and cookies set out the night before. Following your dad after cutting down your first Christmas tree with “Dad’s Hatchet” and accidentally attempting to chop down your own knee with that same hatchet on the walk back to Dad’s truck.......WHAT?!?!?.....well, that’s another story for another time. Nevertheless, the Christmas tree is a staple in many homes world wide, and yet many know very little about its beginning.

Last week we touched on the holly branch and its role in ancient cultures celebrating the hope of the upcoming spring. Many of these societies believed that winter came as a result of their sun god becoming ill. Egypt worshipped Ra. The Vikings revered Balder. And the Romans deified Saturn, their god of agriculture. December 21 or December 22—the beginning of the winter solstice—would normally mark the beginning of these festivities, and the evergreen plants—trees in particular—became a fundamental part of these celebrations. Evergreens would soon become associated with paganism because of these customs.

16th century Germany is recognized with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it. When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania in the 1600’s, they brought these traditions along with them; however, the strict conduct of the New England Puritans denounced these “pagan” ways. William Bradford governed against it. Oliver Cromwell preached against it. The General Court of Massachusetts ruled against it stating any observance of December 25 was a penal offense. This legacy continued until the royal English family of Queen Victoria, including her husband Prince Albert of Germany, were illustrated in the London News standing around their Christmas tree; thus, popularizing the tradition in England and East Coast America.

I don’t know about you, but Christmas just wouldn’t seem like Christmas without a tree. It could be the sparkle of the lights, the beauty of having nature (or the imitation of nature, in my case) indoors, or the challenge of keeping our cats from climbing the tree or pulling the ribbon off the branches. Nevertheless, it is an vital element in the feeling of Christmas. This symbol of Christmas joy reminds us of another tree that also brought about celebration—the cross of the Savior of the world.

The story of Christmas in completed with the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus. His name was to be IMMANUEL—God With Us. On that December night, God was with us. Jesus came.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus...” Matthew 1:21a HCSB

“For the Son of Man came..." Luke 19:10a NIV

“…the Son of Man came...” Matthew 20:28a KJV

Yes, Jesus came. God, the Father, sent His Son to dwell in His creation on this December night. And this is the focus of Christian’s home during this holiday season. ......BUT....even though it was the ended of the Christmas story, the STORY was just beginning.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 HCSB

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 NIV

“…the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Yes, Jesus came. But He came to save His people. You cannot have one without the other. Jesus came with passion, with purpose, and with one priority—to save His dying creation. Jesus’ birth was a means to His ministry. To save mankind, He had to become man. When you think about His birth, you have to think about His purpose. When you think about His purpose, you have to think about His cross.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV

As you gaze upon the multitude of Christmas trees this season, enjoy the beauty of their ornaments, the warmth of their lights, and the cozy memories of Christmases past. And let them serve as a reminder to revel in the joy of the REAL Christmas tree—the cross.


P.S. In light of the ancient pagan history associated with the celebrations of the winter solstice, how odd that God chose to deliver our Redeemer during this specific time of year. I guess it should come as no surprise once we see the focus of Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 9:12).