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Cristina Van Dyck

1 May 2010

O, Which-mastree?

I woke up one morning in December to see an interesting poll on

Facebook.  The question was: 

President Obama says that they will have a Holiday Tree this year
instead of a Christmas Tree.  Do you agree with this?

The reaction by some of my friends was predictable.  They didn’t

agree with the idea of renaming the Christmas tree to "Holiday" tree,
and every one of them had a slightly different take on it.

The reactions I'd seen were these:

1.  “This is the typical idea of a PC Liberal who doesn't know the
definition of the First Amendment (Freedom of Speech, Press,
Religion)”

2.  “Either use the Christmas tree for what it represents and call it
by its rightful name, or don't have a Christmas tree at all.”

3.  “I’m surprised Obama would bother calling it a Holiday tree

instead of just a “Tree”. The word ‘Holiday’ comes from the term
‘holy day’.  And Christmas is a holy day for Christians.”

And finally, there was an overall reluctance to alter the title

“Christmas” tree, because people just don’t like change, especially
when it comes to objects and traditions that have been held dear for
a very long time. Think of the Sears Tower, and all the sports
stadiums that’ve been renamed to reflect corporate sponsorship.
Cellular Field. Staples Stadium.

But really, what’s the harm in renaming the Christmas tree? // I don’t
think it’s a bad idea, at all.
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Cristina Van Dyck
1 May 2010

First, it must be noted that the Christmas tree isn't Christian, at all. 
Christmas trees, mistletoe, yule logs, feasting on ham, etc., are of
pagan, pre-Christian origin and symbolize LIFE, SURVIVAL and
REBIRTH during the coldest, darkest, most life-threatening season of
the year. 

During Saturnalia, the ancient Romans exchanged gifts and used

greenery and oil lamps to decorate their homes to celebrate life and
the return of light to the shortened winter days.

In ancient Egypt, leaves from the date palm—which, by the way, is

an evergreen--were brought indoors to celebrate life over death.

And in Northern Europe, Druids used evergreens such as holly and

mistletoe to symbolize life and to keep away evil spirits, while the
Scando-Germanic populations hung evergreen boughs of pine above
their doorways and placed trees within their homes to celebrate
rebirth and the return of spring.

An interesting fact: Mistletoe is symbolic of fertility, so kissing your

loved-one beneath the mistletoe is an act of bestowing fertility upon
each other. Keep that in mind the next time you find yourself
smooching someone under the mistletoe!

All of these traditions were kept at the winter solstice, in December,

which was a dark, frightening and life-threatening time of year. It’s
the turning point of time when the days begin to lengthen again and
move toward the life and warmth of spring and summer.

It’s from these seeds that our modern-day Christmas tree has taken
root and grown.

The modern use of the Christmas tree wasn't adopted until the 16 th
century in the Alsace region of Germany.  Only 500 years ago. And
how long since the birth of Christ? 2000 years.
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Cristina Van Dyck
1 May 2010

By the 19th century, it had finally been introduced to British and

American cultures. 

The Christmas tree historically has been controversial within

Christianity. The early Christian church absolutely prohibited the use
of decorations and greens at Christmastime--and later, so did the
English Puritans--specifically because of their pagan origin.

Furthermore, this time of year isn't holy to only one faith, nor only to
Christ.  Think of Celtic Yule, Jewish Hanukkah, Islamic Ramadan,
African Kwanzaa.

Changing the nominal designation of the tree within the White

House itself doesn’t diminish the general significance of the tree for
anyone else.

Not only would such a change absolutely exercise the First

Amendment, but it would make this ancient symbol more accessible
on a national scale to practitioners of ALL religions within our nation.

Having a "Christmas" tree in the White House connotes a strictly

Christian faith for our nation, and does not include the multitude of
religious practices that color our culture and make America the place
of diverse ideologies that it was meant to be. 

A "Holiday" tree, on the other hand, would be a way of including

EVERYONE in this nation at this special time of year, rather than
excluding EVERYONE ELSE.  The question to ask is, Are we a nation of
inclusivity, or exclusivity?

A Holiday tree would be a symbol of unity and solidarity for our

country: "We are one nation under God--no matter who your god is."

Isn't it true that the government represents all, not just one?  All
individuals, all practices, all faiths.  Why not have an all-inclusive tree
at a time of common holy days that’s symbolic of that unity?
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Cristina Van Dyck
1 May 2010

It turns out that the rumor that the Obamas might rename the
Christmas tree was just that: a big fat rumor. According to
FactCheck.org, no such thing was ever known to have been
suggested. The “Holiday Tree” was really just a hoax.

The point is, anyone can have a Holiday tree--or a Christmas tree, call
it whatever you like--to celebrate the holiday season. 

But the next time you put up a Christmas tree in your living room and
kiss beneath the mistletoe, remember that you are continuing an
ancient, cross-cultural pagan practice that reveres the continuation
of Life during the harshest season of the year.  And Life is common to
each and every one of us.

The bottom line is: A rose by any other name, would still smell as
sweet.

And the same holds true for a tree.

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Cristina Van Dyck
1 May 2010

Bibliography

Bucher, Dr. Richard P. O Christmas Tree: The Origin and Meaning of the Christmas Tree.
www.orlutheran.com. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Lexington, Kentucky.
Revised: November 2000. Web.

‘Holiday Tree’ Hooey. www.FactCheck.org. Revised: 30 November 2009. Web. 14 October

2009.

Robinson, B.A. All About the Christmas Tree. www.religioustolerance.org. Ontario

Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Ontario, Canada. Revised: 13 December 2005.
Web. 29 December 2000.

Robson, David. Christmas Tree Tradition Has Ancient Origins. www.christmas-tree.com.

Web.

Wittman, Kelly. Christmas’ Pagan Origins. www.essortment.com. Web. 2002.

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Cristina Van Dyck
1 May 2010

Outline

I. Introduction
a. Attention material: December morning Facebook poll
b. Orienting material: Friends’ reactions
i. PC liberal
ii. Call it a Christmas tree or don’t have an Christmas tree
iii. Holy Day, Obama wanting to remove Christian ethos from population
II. Central Idea
a. People don’t like change
b. What’s the harm?
III. Body
a. Christmas trees aren’t Christian
i. Ancient Romans and Saturnalia
ii. Ancient Egyptians and date palms
iii. Northern European Druids and Scandinavians

Transition: Random fact about mistletoe

b. Adaptation and adoption into Christian society

i. Ancient traditions universally observed at the winter solstice
ii. Christmas tree wasn’t adopted until 16th c.
iii. By 19th c., it had finally reached Britain and America

Transition: Christmas tree controversy within Christianity; solstice celebrations not unique
to Christian faith.

c. Name change!
i. Change within White House: OK. Doesn’t diminish significance
ii. Excercises the First Amendment
iii. Holiday Tree promotes inclusivity, rather than exclusivity

Transition: The American government represents ALL people, ALL faiths—not just
Christians.

IV. Conclusion
a. Relax, guys. It’s a hoax.
b. Remember its true origins next holiday season, and marvel.
c. A tree by any other name…