The Meaning Behind the Christmas Tree in Christianity

The Christmas tree is more Christian than you think. While some believe the tree is purely secular and rooted in pagan tradition, many Catholics believe the Christmas tree was embraced with the Gospel. Let’s take a look at the long history of the Christmas tree and its role in both Christian and pagan celebrations.

Ancient Pre-Christian Evergreen Customs

Ancient peoples from Rome to Scandinavia, who lived long before the advent of Christianity, believed plants that remained green year-round repelled illness, witches, ghosts and evil spirits. So they decorated their homes with boughs from pine, spruce and fir trees, especially around the solstice. This is December 21, the shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere, and they believed this was the date their sun god returned and would make everything green again. The evergreen boughs were a comforting reminder of that. (Source)

Many historians think that these traditions were adapted to help transition pagan followers to Christianity.

St. Boniface and the First Christmas Tree

In contrast, some believe the roots of the Christmas tree are staunchly Catholic because of St. Boniface, who lived in the 7th century. He is considered one of the greatest missionaries, second only to St. Paul, for his evangelism in modern-day Germany. Back then, most Germans worshipped pagan deities. Such was the case in the town of Geismar, where, on December 24, people gathered around a huge oak dedicated to the god Thor. Their purpose was to offer a small child as a sacrifice.

The pagans boasted that no god could destroy the huge oak. St. Boniface proved them wrong and rescued the child in the process. He felled the oak with a single strike from his axe; some legends state a gust of wind uprooted the tree as he struck it.

St. Boniface then proclaimed the Gospel and pointed to a small tree, which had stood behind the mighty oak. He declared it a symbol of the Christ child and eternal life for its ever-green needles and its shape, which pointed to heaven. He advised them to bring trees like it into their homes and gather around it, sharing gifts and kindness (a much-appreciated contrast to human sacrifice). The pagans eagerly accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

The Legend of the Holy Thorn

A hawthorn, known as the “Holy Thorn" made a contribution toward the concept of the Christmas tree (source). The original tree was planted hundreds of years ago near Glastonbury Abbey in England, and miraculously flowered at Christmastime. Legend claims that the tree came from Jesus' crown of thorns or His staff. Scientists have confirmed the tree originated in the Middle East. Unfortunately, in 2010, vandals chopped it down.

The Medieval Paradise Tree

Latvian and German religious theatre helped introduce Christmas trees into the home. During the Middle Ages, dramas depicting Biblical stories became a part of worship. They evolved into celebrating the nativity and linking the story of creation, replete with a “paradise tree” hung with fruit symbolizing the Garden of Eden. Eventually, these plays were often banned and people began setting up paradise trees in their homes to compensate. In fact, the earliest Christmas trees were referred to as "paradises." In the 17th and 18th century, the custom became more popular and churches set up Christmas trees in their sanctuaries.

Germanic Influence

German immigrants brought the custom of Christmas trees to the United States in the early 19th century. However, these traditions became especially popular after Queen Victoria and her German husband, King Albert, set up an elaborate tree for their children at Windsor Castle in 1841.

When we contemplate the origins of the Christmas tree, we must remember Psalm 69:35 “Let the heaven and the earth praise Him, the seas and whatever moves in them!” So although the Christmas tree has pagan roots, it makes no difference, because everything was created for God’s glory.

It’s no wonder that in 2004 Pope John Paul declared the Christmas tree a symbol of life offered by Christ, calling it “God’s supreme gift to humanity (source).”

“The message of the Christmas tree, therefore, is that life is ‘ever green’ if one gives: not so much material things, but of oneself: in friendship and sincere affection, and fraternal help and forgiveness, in shared time and reciprocal listening,” he proclaimed.

More on Christmas and Advent Traditions:
- The Symbols of Advent
- The Meaning of Advent