Are you a tree hugger?
By that I mean, do you have an emotional attachment to Christmas trees, wreaths and such? Religious interest in trees is an ancient pagan tradition, but not a Christian one.
The Egyptians, Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Sumerians all had holy trees that they decorated and venerated.
Egyptian
Sacred tree venerated in a Babylonian seal
Sacred tree in the palace of Nimrod (British Museum)
Celtic Sacred Tree of Life
Pagans attribute divinity, mystical powers, healing and health to trees. In Wicca, trees are symbols of nature's power, representing the "tree of life" that supposedly connects the earthy, spiritual and divine realms. Various trees hold specific magical properties. None of these things are taught in Scripture.
The Christmas tree is an adaptation of those ancient pagan traditions.
Trees are a beautiful part of God's creation, and have important functions and uses, but not in the way that pagans teach.
The most important tree to a Christian is the one at Calvary, where our Lord was crucified, as Austin Miles expressed in his hymn.
"They nailed my Lord upon the tree
And left Him, dying, there:
Thro’ love He suffered there for me;
’Twas love beyond compare".
"Crucified! Crucified!
And nailed upon the tree!
With piercèd hands and feet and side!
For you! For me!"
There are no Christmas trees anywhere in the New Testament, but many folk are undaunted by that fact. They follow the example of the world around them, and have fond feelings for the decorated tree in their home. In that sense they're Christmas tree huggers.
We Christians don't have a symbol of that tree to look fondly upon or to announce our faith to others. Following the teachings found in the New Testament, we find no precedent for anything like a Christmas tree. We're called to remember, not the tree, but the One who died on it, bearing our sins, so that we might be saved. No tree is necessary, but only the Lord Jesus Christ! And we remember Him every Sunday at the Lord's Supper.
