Christmas Trees in Church Building

mmm ... I just don' think they belong in church.

 

We always used to until it became politically incorrect in recent decades. I suppose the garland and wreaths will be the next to go.

 

I just would not feel comfortable with a tree because of its commercialism. A manger scene would be ok with me but we don't do it. We put it all into the message.

 

We won't have one. No particular reason.

Brother Bob, I like that avatar you got there. Glory!

 

We won't because we meet in a rented hall. I don't think we would if we had our own building, but I am not sure. We had one lastr year cause church was in our home.

We will if the pre-school there has one .

You should have seen "our" Hallowe'en decorations .

 

Both the church that I pastored and the church I now belong to use Chrismon trees rather than Christmas trees. "Chrismon" is a made-up word, taking syllables from "Christ" and "monogram". The Chrismons are various symbols of Christ -- the Alpha and Omega, the fish, the cross, the crown, the orb and scepter, etc. -- all made in white and gold, and hung on a tree. It becomes a wonderful teaching device as well as a feast for the eyes. This was begun by a Lutheran church in Danville, VA, a number of years ago, and has spread to many churches that want to avoid mere colored lights and baubles and focus on the Christ in Christmas.

 

The church I used to youth pastor had Chrismon trees also.
Along with the Hanging of the Greens we decorated the tree and told the meaning behind each ornament.

 

I am fully against setting up Christmas trees in the sanctuary.

My reasons? They draw people's attention away from concentrating on the Word that is being spoken from the pulpit. When one goes to the house of God, it should be for one purpose only, worship and fellowship. Too many bring the vain customs of the world into the sanctuary. They may have good meanings behind their actions, but the Word of God calls them vain.

One can say they put them up to honor Christ, but the truth of the matter is, Jeremiah 10 shows us they are a vain tradition... useless practice. They do not belong in Church.

 

We will probably have one in our ministry center.

All traditions are not vain...

 

I think it would be highly hypocritical if the people who are against it also have trees in their own homes.

Don't you guys have better things to worry about?

 

I guess there is nothing wrong with having pagan symbols in a Christian church.
Why not? [Moderator's note: Removal of off-topic material.]

 

As it goes every year this topic just gives us something more to fight about and divide over.

 

For some it brings their attention on Christ because of the season.

People who stink and preachers who use poor grammar draw attention away from the gospel. So does shout stomp and spit preachers who can hardly breathe when they speak. So does an overweight preacher who looks like he is lazy. Does that mean we should not allow them in the church?

In some churhces they are not welcome. Not even the truly righteous are welcome. The only people who are welcome in those churches are the people who think they are righteous.

 

Depends on what you worship. Make sure your wife does not wear make up because it once was worn by prostitutes. Make sure you do not wear a wedding ring if you are married so you can appear promiscuous.

 

So does an altar, a cross, stained glass windows, communion table, piano, attendance boards, etc.

It really doesn't surprise me that you are against this... you seem to be against everything Christians do.

What about Advent, Hanging of the Greens, and Chrismon trees?
What about a Maundy Thursday service at Easter? Or even Baby dedications?
All of these point to Christ, but I would be willing to bet that since they are not in your, southern USA culture, you would be against them too. SFIC, there is a big world out there, and Southern culture doesn't have a lock on what is biblical.

 

Yup.

Personally, I do not have a problem with having a Christmas tree.

However, I am sure I am wrong and several around here will continue to inform me of such issues.

 

We set up a Chrismon tree in our parlor. On a different note, we had a December wedding on a Saturday evening about 25 years ago where the couple were not members of the church. They dismantled our Christmas decorations and set up two huge flocked Christmas trees in our choir loft. The people who discovered the problem spent most of the night redecorating. In addition to Sunday services we were also having a big open house on Sunday afternoon. Since then we only allow weddings for church members. However, we did have a couple join the church. In a few months they got married, and we have never seen them again. They didn't move. Their name is still in the phone book, but all they wanted was the use of the building for their wedding.


Tim Reynolds

 

We always have an angel tree. I don't know why it started or why we keep it going. I wouldn't even know who to ask anymore.

 

We'll have one in the foyer with fake presents under it. It makes a nice seasonal decoration.

We'll have greens and candles in the auditorium.

I think that putting a tree in the auditorium near the front would tend to be distracting and possibly even confusing. But I also oppose using the American flag similarly.

I also drew the line when the pastor wanted to preach in a Santa Claus suit with all the choir wearing reindeer antlers. But maybe that's just me.