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letter to Boston Metro
Dec. 2nd, 2005 10:34 am(Sent just now.)
In response to the writer who insisted that public decorated trees be identified as Christian symbols: let's take a moment to remember that nature-worshiping peoples decorated trees to celebrate the winter solstice holiday long before Jesus was born. Christians only started bringing trees into the home to decorate in the 16th century (in Germany), and as recently as the 1840s most Americans did not accept "Christmas trees" as a tradition, regarding them as pagan symbols. So, please don't insist that trees other than your own be labeled as Christian. Many who decorate trees today have no religious intent in their joyous celebration, and wouldn't want that meaning imposed on them. Plus there still are some nature-worshipers about. My tree is sacred to life and the promise of spring, not a deity.
(Used as reference: http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/trees.html.)
In response to the writer who insisted that public decorated trees be identified as Christian symbols: let's take a moment to remember that nature-worshiping peoples decorated trees to celebrate the winter solstice holiday long before Jesus was born. Christians only started bringing trees into the home to decorate in the 16th century (in Germany), and as recently as the 1840s most Americans did not accept "Christmas trees" as a tradition, regarding them as pagan symbols. So, please don't insist that trees other than your own be labeled as Christian. Many who decorate trees today have no religious intent in their joyous celebration, and wouldn't want that meaning imposed on them. Plus there still are some nature-worshipers about. My tree is sacred to life and the promise of spring, not a deity.
(Used as reference: http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/trees.html.)
