The question of if there is a “right way” to have a Christmas tree is a popular question for many individuals. Christmas trees have been around for quite a long time and have been specifically associated with Christmas.
When most of us see a Christmas tree, we automatically think of Christmas. With Christmas quickly approaching, we want to know if there is a “right way” to have a Christmas tree.
A ‘Right Way’ to Have a Christmas Tree?
As a child, I remember one of my absolute favorite parts of the holiday season was setting up the tree and decorating the tree.
There were a few special Christmas ornaments that were my favorite to place on the tree each year. It became a tradition in our house to set up our artificial tree each year and decorate it as a family.
Even though my sisters and I normally arranged the ornaments, lights, and garland in the oddest way possible, my mother still told us how beautiful the Christmas tree looked. Through these memories made as a child, many of us are naturally drawn to the magic of a Christmas tree.
Many staunch or extremist Christians believe it is wrong to have a Christmas tree. Since the Christmas tree has origins in pagan roots, many Christians believe it is wrong to set up a Christmas tree.
In addition to many Christians believing Christmas trees are sinful, many cults believe having a Christmas tree is wrong. Even though many individuals believe this, including Christians, is it correct? Is there truly a “right” way to have a Christmas tree?
Ultimately, there is no right way to have a Christmas tree unless you are using the tree in pagan worship or you are worshiping the tree. There used to be Jehovah's Witnesses who used to come to our house often, and during Christmas, they thought we would worship the Christmas tree.
This idea from Jehovah's Witnesses is erroneous because we don’t worship the Christmas tree. Rather, we put up the tree and decorate it in celebration of Christmas.
We don’t worship the Christmas tree — no Christian worships the Christmas tree. Instead, we worship the Lord — and the Christmas tree is merely one of the decorations to celebrate the birth of the Lord.
Christmas trees are only decorations. There is nothing inherently wrong about having a Christmas tree. The only wrong way to have a Christmas tree is if the individual is using the Christmas tree in pagan worship.
Using the tree in pagan worship would most likely be nonexistent in the present day and age. The Christmas tree is only used for the purpose of celebrating Christmas — nothing else.
If you want to have a Christmas tree, there is nothing wrong with it. However, if you don’t want to have a Christmas tree, you don’t have to have one. It ultimately is between you and God if you want to have a Christmas tree.
As long as you are not using the Christmas tree in pagan worship, there is no “right” way to have a Christmas tree. As long as you are using the Christmas tree as a way to celebrate the Lord, there is nothing wrong.
You can decorate it any way you choose. If you want to put on ornaments, lights, or garland on your Christmas tree — it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re putting up the Christmas tree in celebration of Jesus’ birth, there is no “wrong” way to have a Christmas tree.
There are many erroneous ideas circulating in the world over the topic of having a Christmas tree, yet at the end of the day, there is nothing wrong with having a Christmas tree.
Furthermore, there is no “right” way to have a Christmas tree. Instead of judging others for their use of Christmas trees, instead, we should seek out unity among our fellow believers. Christmas trees are only decorations during the Christmas season.
What Is the History of Christmas Trees?
Even though they have roots in paganism, Christmas trees are no longer used in pagan worship. As Christians, we know there is no “right” way to have a Christmas tree because Christmas trees are not inherently evil.
No matter how you decide to decorate your Christmas tree, it is up to you. It doesn’t matter if you purchase a live tree or an artificial tree. The matter of salvation and growth in Christ is not determined on whether you put up a Christmas tree each year.
However, it is important that we understand the meaning of the Christmas tree rather than just sectioning it into another section of materialism in the modern day.
The Christmas tree is a traditional decoration to help us prepare for the Christmas season. Gifts are normally wrapped and placed under the tree with care.
During the Christmas season, we need to make sure that we are not focusing on materialism but rather on the true meaning of Christmas.
The true meaning of Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ into the world. Christmas is often swallowed up by materialism that we fail to see the true meaning of Christmas.
We are often more concerned with the presents to purchase or the preparations for the Christmas Day meal instead of focusing on Christ. While gifts and special meals are nice, they are not what Christmas is all about.
When we put up our Christmas tree and decorate it, we need to remember that the Christmas season is for Jesus. It is not to fuel our own selfish desires and wants.
Christmas trees are normally tied together with gifts, yet getting gifts is not the reason for the season. While this can be hard for many of us, it’s important that we do recognize the Christmas tree as a decoration to celebrate the anniversary of our Lord’s birth.
There are no secret meanings behind the Christmas tree, nor are there any hidden messages behind those who celebrate by putting up a Christmas tree. Rather, Christmas trees are put up and decorated for the Christmas season.
What Does This Mean?
Thus, there is no “right” way to have a Christmas tree. As long as the tree is not being used in pagan worship, there is no wrong way to have a Christmas tree. Christmas trees come from tradition and are an important symbol during the Christmas holiday.
If you’re wondering if there is a right way to have a Christmas tree, rest assured that there is nothing wrong with having a Christmas tree.
As Christians, we don’t worship the Christmas tree, nor do we perform sacred rituals around it. Rather, Christmas trees are simply decorations to celebrate the Savior of our Lord.
Whether you choose to put up a Christmas tree this year or not is between you and God. There is no “right” way to have a Christmas tree. Christmas trees help build the holiday spirit in us, and they are beautiful to look at during the holiday season.
If you choose to put up a Christmas tree and someone else doesn’t, make sure you don’t judge that other person and vice versa. As believers, we need unity and love in the Lord. We do not need to have friction and strife over holiday decorations.
For further reading:
What Is the Origin of the Christmas Tree?
What Is the Origin of Beloved Christmas Traditions?
Is the Origin of Christmas Truly Rooted in Pagan Traditions?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Maryna Andriichenko
