I am deeply touched by your words. You weaved this Christmas Tree into a story that cross ages and deeply transcend the world of matter into spirit, of mankind and Earth into our Creator’s essence. I will share wide and far within my circle, because it spoke to my heart. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Christians should not hate their ancestry. I agree. But they should understand that the MAIN origin of things is the Logos not human invention. Things arise in creation because they fit the pattern of the cosmos.
I guess these religious groups didn’t see the patterns some people take for granted. Here’s a sizable list of religions — noting that Buddhism is technically not a religion — that do not use Christmas trees for any religious purpose:
• Judaism
• Islam
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Sikhism
• Shinto
• Taoism
• Confucianism
• Zoroastrianism
• Jainism
• Baha’i Faith
• Indigenous religions worldwide (varies widely, but none have Christmas trees as a religious symbol)
• Neo-Pagan traditions (they may use evergreens for solstice, but not as a religious Christmas tree)
• Atheism / secularism (not a religion, but included for clarity)
This misses the point of the article in my opinion. The question isn’t whether other religions used a Christmas tree. Of course they didn’t. The point is that many cultures saw the same archetype in evergreens: life in the dead of winter, endurance, renewal.
It indeed misses the point. The Christmas tree is a very condensed symbol in the sense that it captures the structure of the cosmos well. This doesn’t mean all cultures use this symbol.
But (if we want to go into this topic) seeing some of its components in other traditions shows how many aspects it brings together. For example, in Greco-Roman culture, evergreens were used during winter festivals like Saturnalia to symbolize life and renewal. And the tree’s conical shape mirrors pyramids found in places like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Americas. And in Scandinavia, people dance around the Christmas tree, a movement that resembles how Muslims circumambulate the black cube of the Kaaba.
Awesome read! Quite educational and purposeful! I quite enjoyed your thoughtful and thought provoking words.
I just love how you’ve woven everything together. It’s so lovely. Thank you🎄🎄🎄
Dear Justi,
I am deeply touched by your words. You weaved this Christmas Tree into a story that cross ages and deeply transcend the world of matter into spirit, of mankind and Earth into our Creator’s essence. I will share wide and far within my circle, because it spoke to my heart. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Thank you. Merry Christmas Annabelle.
Why do Christians hate culture? I dont get it at all. You come from somewhere u have ancestry. Stop being a liberal…
Christians should not hate their ancestry. I agree. But they should understand that the MAIN origin of things is the Logos not human invention. Things arise in creation because they fit the pattern of the cosmos.
Thank you. That was beautiful.
I loved the contrast between cold, death, and the evergreen tree. So symbolic and so powerful.
This is a beautiful essay.
Wonderful
God Jul !
God jul!
Justi, reading your article gave me the feeling I have when I see the ocean: a deep breath of peace. Thank you for putting things right.
This was awesome.👏
Great job. Thank you for pointing out the absurdity of the upside down Christmas Tree.
Eye opening and educational! Thoroughly enjoyed reading and sharing!
I guess these religious groups didn’t see the patterns some people take for granted. Here’s a sizable list of religions — noting that Buddhism is technically not a religion — that do not use Christmas trees for any religious purpose:
• Judaism
• Islam
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Sikhism
• Shinto
• Taoism
• Confucianism
• Zoroastrianism
• Jainism
• Baha’i Faith
• Indigenous religions worldwide (varies widely, but none have Christmas trees as a religious symbol)
• Neo-Pagan traditions (they may use evergreens for solstice, but not as a religious Christmas tree)
• Atheism / secularism (not a religion, but included for clarity)
This misses the point of the article in my opinion. The question isn’t whether other religions used a Christmas tree. Of course they didn’t. The point is that many cultures saw the same archetype in evergreens: life in the dead of winter, endurance, renewal.
It indeed misses the point. The Christmas tree is a very condensed symbol in the sense that it captures the structure of the cosmos well. This doesn’t mean all cultures use this symbol.
But (if we want to go into this topic) seeing some of its components in other traditions shows how many aspects it brings together. For example, in Greco-Roman culture, evergreens were used during winter festivals like Saturnalia to symbolize life and renewal. And the tree’s conical shape mirrors pyramids found in places like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Americas. And in Scandinavia, people dance around the Christmas tree, a movement that resembles how Muslims circumambulate the black cube of the Kaaba.