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O Christmas Tree! Can I Sing About Thee?

 


 Tis the Season for Christmas Trees. Every year people adorn their homes with the fir tree and decorate it. The tradition is a hallmark of the holiday, and in recent times there have been many attacks on it claiming it is a carry over from the Druids, and must be boycotted. This is completely false. The trees Druids brought in were oaks and birches with holes to conjure the sprites through. The tradition of the evergreen tree comes from St. Columba, who when he chopped down an oak tree to Oiden, a miracle happened that from the stump grew a fir tree, which he said was symbol of eternal life in Jesus Christ. That is the earliest symbolism. In Germany, Martin Luther had the evergreen tree brought in and said as Columba had, that it was symbol of eternal life and pointed to heaven. For Americans, the Christmas Tree was on flags and banners of white that read "Appeal to Heaven," being a universal symbol of faith in the LORD to help them in the Revolution. Now the tree has folklore connections, mainly with Santa Claus putting presents beneath the tree. This is a rather recent addition, for the true St. Nicholas was in Turkey, and he did not put presents under a tree, but in wood slippers on the porch (where we get stockings from). 

It is amazing that this tree has had so many meanings, that it began as symbol of eternal life in Christ has been a symbol of patriotism, and now has whimsical connection to the mythological Christmas. What you might as as fellow Christians is should we somehow indicate that we honor the original meaning of the Fir Tree at Xmas? I say certainly, if you wish put a Star of Bethlehem on top or perhaps some things on it to commemorate Christ. However, the tree itself is already one of our symbols. But can we sing "O Christmas Tree?" Is that not idolatry? There are some Christian brothers and sisters who believe it is. However lets look at lyrics of that song:

Version I, "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely.
Each year you bring to us delight
With brightly shining Christmas light!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty.
Your bright green leaves with festive cheer,
Give hope and strength throughout the year.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty." 

I do not see anything there that is problematic, it simply is sweet song talking about something Our Lord God created and its beauty. We have not problems with praises of women's beauty, the stars, and the sea. Why would a Christmas Tree be a problem? 

Version II

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Not only green when summer's here
But also when it's cold and drear
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
For every year this Christmas tree
Brings to us such joy and glee
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
You'll ever be unchanging
A symbol of goodwill and love
You'll ever be unchanging
Each shining light, each silver bell
No one alive spreads cheer so well
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
You'll ever be unchanging

Version III

O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
How steadfast are your branches!
Your boughs are green in summer's clime
And through the snows of wintertime
O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
How steadfast are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
What happiness befalls me
When oft at joyous Christmas-time
Your form inspires my song and rhyme
O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
What happiness befalls me

O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
Your boughs can teach a lesson
That constant faith and hope sublime
Lend strength and comfort through all time
O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree
Your boughs can teach a lesson." 

These versions could constitute slightly idolatrous in that the inspiration comes from the Tree rather than Christ, and so I can see Fundamentalist brothers and sisters saying this one is to be avoided. Though in the ladder course it claims that it is teaching a lesson on faith and hope sublime which hearkens to Martin Luther and St. Columba saying the tree represents eternal life in Jesus Christ. So it depends on how you interpret it, if you feel bothered by it, then do not sing it, I leave that to your conscience, "But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning." (Romans 14:23). The ladder verse there is clear its not just about food by saying anything. So if you believe the O Christmas Tree is idolatry, you cannot sing it, if you feel it is alluding to message Martin Luther said, and have no problem with it, than you have to follow the integrity of your heart and God knows your heart is not idolatry but to sing about a symbol that tells of his eternal life he purchased for us with His blood, so let us not judge those who sing it nor those who abstain, everyone should have the right to walk according to their conscience, as Martin Luther says, "To go against conscience is neither right nor safe." 

My aim as always is to equip with Scripture and let people make up their minds. I have my own views which have changed over the years, I once felt Christmas Tree was a distraction, I have since come to embrace St. Columba and Martin Luther's perspective. We need to be patient and let people change their minds. So often in this world we join tribes that are pro this or anti that, but people in their time on this Earth can change and we need to not shout, "Hey! You use to say Xmas Tree was idolatry!" or "Hey! You use to say the Xmas tree was fine and now you won't put one up!" You have to let people have their right to decide on non-essentials, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity (love)." (Augustine of Hippo, as I have said, he has some good sayings, but beware, in His Confessions he got deceived by a spirit of light, see Satan disguises himself as an angel of light in 2 Corinthians 11:14). Amen.


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