“The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Gen. 2:8-9) 

The reason for the season reminders all around us

Over the last few days, we have been looking at Christmas decorations, and how their symbolism can remind us of the true reason for the season, Jesus.

The Christmas tree

One of the first signs of the Christmas season to appear everywhere is the Christmas tree. There has been much debate regarding the use of them historically, especially since they were used by pagans to celebrate the winter solstice. However, some Christian historians claim that the Christmas tree has purely Christian origins, with its roots in the story of Adam and Eve and the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. They argue that the use of evergreen trees during Christmas symbolizes the eternal life that Jesus Christ offers and that decorated trees remind them of many Christian truths about Him.

Jesus, a new branch bearing fruit

In prophecy, Isaiah compared Jesus to a tree by relaying, “Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot—yes, a new branch bearing fruit from the old root.” (Isa. 11:1). The reminder that Jesus came from the lineage of David is like a seed coming from a family tree.

The tree’s shape

The Christmas tree being in the shape of a triangle was thought to represent the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18–19). The upward-pointing branches often symbolize praise to God.

A resurrection symbol 

Christmas trees can serve as a metaphor for the fact that Jesus died and rose again in splendor in the same way a tree was cut down to its own death to be placed upward again in glory and splendor.

The decorations on the tree

For many Christians, candles or lights on the tree signify how Jesus came as the light into the world. The star placed atop the tree represents the star the wise men followed to Bethlehem (Matt. 2:9). Some believe that the Protestant revolutionary Martin Luther started lighting candles in trees after walking through the woods on a snowy night. The sight of the moon hitting the snow-glistened trees reminded him of the light of Christ that came down from heaven. It was also this experience that inspired him to pen the lyrics to the 1535 Christmas hymn, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come.“

Therefore

Use everything about Christmas trees to remind you of God’s Word, the tree of life, and about Jesus, who He is, His glory, and what He came for!

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” (Rev. 22:1-3 NIV)