Updated 29 Oct 2021. Originally published 14 Dec 2010.
I feel as though my posts, overall, are not nearly as focused on Christmas as most other bloggers’ have been lately. Let me tip the balance just a little by talking about our tree, which serves as a family Advent devotional.
How it All Started
We had a big blowup over our Christmas tree a few years ago. My husband had, before we ever even knew each other, carefully chosen the colors of the decorations on our (then, his) tree for some specific symbolism. I knew this, at an intellectual level, but it wasn’t something that was at the forefront of my mind throughout December, and Ariel didn’t even know about it. So I was just finding myself uncomfortable with us even having a tree. (Like it or not, Christmas trees do have some pagan history, and neopagans still put them up and decorate them for Yule.)
The Decision
What we finally settled on was that the Christmas tree could be edifying for our family if we did something to keep that intentional symbolism in front of us throughout the season. As a result, our tree is kind of our version of an Advent wreath or something — a family Advent devotional centered around the tree.
Layers
We put the tree up in stages, reading Scripture verses, singing songs, and having a discussion about each layer as it’s added. Because we don’t put everything on at once, there is time for each lesson to sink in before we add the next. In theory, we would do this at nice, neat intervals. In reality, we tend to do it when we get to it.
Layers 1 & 2
So far this year, we’ve gotten through the first stage and the second.
The first “layer” is simply the tree itself. This represents Jesus as The Branch from the root of Jesse. It also foreshadows the cross, the “tree” on which Jesus was crucified. (We have a “Christmas nail” ornament that we hang at this time. We didn’t go out and get it for this purpose; we just happened to already have it, and fits in perfectly.)
The second layer is the lights, representing the Light of the World. Also the Light to the Gentiles, as described by Isaiah.
Layers 3, 4, & 5 Coming Soon
I will wait and describe the other layers as we get to them. 🙂
Part 2 – layers 3 & 4
Part 3 – layer 5
The Result
We’ve found that this has been helpful, not only to make the tree a meaningful, Christ-centered part of our Christmas celebration, but to serve as object lessons for our children, as well. The symbolism has helped them to grasp some biblical concepts I think they otherwise would have struggled with.
On a far less “meaningful” note, when we plugged in the lights for the first time the other day, Sophia (who’s three) got really excited and promptly exclaimed, “We’re pretending it’s Christmas!!” Once we stopped laughing, my husband explained that even though it isn’t Christmas Day yet, it is Christmastime, so we are not pretending; we really are celebrating Christmas.
(To learn ALL about our tree, with verses and songs that we use for each stage, you can get our ebook.)
Rachel, that is such a cute idea. Last year was the first year we went without a tree. This year we have a 10 month old and I almost feel embarrassed when people ask if we have a tree or what it’s like and I tell them no. My husband, a relatively new Christian, was reading Jeremiah 10:1-4 and stated we would no longer have a Christmas tree. We still decorate the rest of the house so it doesn’t feel like we’re missing out.
Shannon, that’s wonderful! Not specifically that you don’t have a Christmas tree – but that’s great spiritual leadership for a new Christian! Not many men would be willing to take such a bold step.
For many years, as part of our Sukkot celebration (Feast of Tabernacles or Booths), we (meaning my husband and kids!) built a sukkah of sorts in our living room. Jim cut four long branches for the LR corners, floor to ceiling, and attached them to the walls. Then he wove greenery ropes back and forth as a framework on the ceiling, and then strung that with white lights (a sukkah generally has an airy roof to allow the “residents” to see the stars, hence our artificial stars). The greenery and lights were enough of a reminder of our former “trees” for our girls. We put our nativity set out under there, and put gifts around it. So we still had our other Christmas accoutrements.