Tuesday, November 27, 2007

'Holiday Tree' Or 'Christmas Tree' In State Capitol?

Wisconsin -- Rep. Marlin Schneider wants to pass a resolution that renames the State Capitol 'holiday tree' as a 'Christmas tree.'

More...

NOTE:
According to Wikipedia, "In Germany and northern Europe, the practice of decorating coniferous trees originated in pagan times, when the trees were seen as phallic symbols representing the fertility of the nature gods. The practice was associated with the Winter Solstice (around December 21) which was seen as the date of the rebirth of the Sun God. Tree decoration was later adopted into Christian practice after the Church set December 25th as the birth of Christ, thereby supplanting the pagan celebration of the solstice."

The Puritans and most Protestants (including the Baptists) in early America didn't approve of the celebration of Christmas and there were even local laws passed against it because of these pagan influences.

Even today, there are some Christians who reject the Christmas holiday, and reject the "Christmas tree" specifically because of Jeremiah 10:2-4:

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (KJV)

So the "Christmas" tree has pagan origins and some Christians will be offended if it's called a "Christmas tree" and some will be offended if it's not.

Do I put up a tree?

Of course I do.

I hang it from the ceiling...

Xmas Tree

The one above is from about five years ago, the one below is from at least 10 years ago when I went to a little more trouble (the picture is turned upside-down):

Xmas Tree