Christmas trees in Church?

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Wesrock said:
The Churches I’ve been to slowly start decorating from the first week of advent on. The manger was up last week, along with trees. There will be more and flowers starting on Christmas.
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We have our full outdoor nativity up, baby Jesus included. My Protestant husband was joking that we forgot the rules this year. 😉
 
At one parish I attend - there are Christmas Trees [or some years a bare branch tree like structure] in the Vestibule and by the Parish Hall during Advent - they are decorated with "Giving Tags’ … for example when the Charity is JOIN PDX …they work to move homeless individuals and families into permanent housing, the tags identify housing needs for those who - living on the streets need bedding, household dishes, towels, small appliances, pots n pans, etc … even utility assistance and the “emergency fund” …

Check out JOIN here [jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/](http://jo(name removed by moderator)dx.org/)

Sometimes they work with groups targeting poor families [this parish also distributes about 250 food boxes] with children who need presents - the tags list age and sex of child.

I find this use of Christmas Trees appropriate for Advent - even though it is not yet “Christmas” - as it is focused on “GIVING” to help those in need and is outside the Church proper.

In the Church - a Christmas tree [or two depending on the design of the Art & Environment committee] will be added in the Sanctuary area - it will be tastefully decorated - usually with lights and gold balls or bows … very simple and beautiful on the morning of the 24th … after any daily Masses [if its a weekday] celebrated that day … These will remain until Epiphany and the end of Christmas … It is always beautiful
 
pianistclare said:
Why would you think they would be put up sooner? :confused:

Church decorating doesn’t ever take place anywhere until after the 4th Sunday of Advent is completed.
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Exactly, that is when it is liturgically appropriate. We have two trees, one at each side of the Sanctuary decorated with white lights & red ribbons. We have a very large & open Sanctuary, so the trees do not block or distract from the Altar. Then there are two small trees on each side of the Tabernacle area decorated with only white lights. There is also one large tree in the Vestibule fully decorated.
 
Pax et Bonum! I wondered why your priest says no to the tree inside the parish - could it have to do with fire insurance or just fire risk? Some trees dry out very quickly when the heat is on and with the warm lights, can be a prob. Also, they can get messy. I am in support of the tree in the parish - in fact we have 2 - one on each side of the sanctuary - very tall, fresh and real only with blue lights. This parish I noticed too, is kept at the cooler side of the temperature. ? angeltime:christmastree1:
 
Rosebud77 said:
Pagan roots!

whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml

Thankfully “my” Poor Clares always keep the chapel deeply spiritual and free of secular images…
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So is the Easter Bunny. Also…according to a priest the Easter candle is large because it is a sign of spring fertility. You may or may not believe that…but it doesn’t change the fact.

In Christianity, there are a number of things that have secular or pagan origins. They have been adapted to Christianity. Now…if you are a puritan (or other strict denomination) you might well be against all these things.
 
While there is no option against Christmas trees anywhere near the church, I still wanted to note that the Vatican does not seem to be troubled by decorating a large tree in St Peter’s Square.

:christmastree1:

tee
 
tawny said:
Exactly, that is when it is liturgically appropriate. We have two trees, one at each side of the Sanctuary decorated with white lights & red ribbons. We have a very large & open Sanctuary, so the trees do not block or distract from the Altar. Then there are two small trees on each side of the Tabernacle area decorated with only white lights. There is also one large tree in the Vestibule fully decorated.
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You are blessed. I agree it’s liturgically appropriate to hold off on the Christmas decorations until after the 4th Sunday of Advent, but it doesn’t always happen that way everywhere.

As for the trees, what you describe sounds subtle and tasteful. 🙂
 
Our Cathedral Basilica places approx 2 Christmas trees up behind the altar on Christmas Eve. Typically, either not decorated or just with white lights. No other decorations. I think this is fine and welcomed if done on Christmas Eve.

During advent, the Cathedral Basilica has a Jesse Tree in the back of the Nave. Christmas trees should not be near the altar during Advent. The tree should go up after the last advent mass on Christmas Eve day, and before the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve

Some other parishes place a little more decoration, but still keep it from being a distraction.
 
Rosebud77 said:
Pagan roots!

whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml

Thankfully “my” Poor Clares always keep the chapel deeply spiritual and free of secular images…
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Thanks for posting the lovely article that explains all the beautiful Christian traditions and Christian origins of the Christmas tree. (I’m thinking in your haste to find something to prove your distaste of Christmas trees, you went with the first thing you could find to post, unaware that it actually proves the Christian origins of the tree. 😃
 
Rosebud77 said:
Pagan roots!

whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml

Thankfully “my” Poor Clares always keep the chapel deeply spiritual and free of secular images…
Click to expand...
Wedding rings are also of Pagan origin, but what a beautiful symbol!

My church has one Christmas tree, off to the side, decorated with white lights. It goes up on Christmas Eve and comes down after the Feast of the Presentation on February 2. We celebrate the feasts of light during this time and it seems entirely fitting that the Church is lit with Christmas lights.
 
Almost everything had pagan origins.
They’re not pagan anymore.
:rolleyes:
 
Rosebud77 said:
agree totally. One church here, I think the Franciscan Friary has two huge ones in front. It is a secular tradition after all and dilutes prayer and observance …
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Rosebud77 said:
Pagan roots!

whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml

Thankfully “my” Poor Clares always keep the chapel deeply spiritual and free of secular images…
Click to expand...
It is not now considered pagan, but how lovely for you that “your” Poor Clares appear to be the only church around that is deeply spiritual. The rest of us will have to put up with the secular trees much like the Franciscan friary and the Vatican.
 
This is Irishmom’s home parish…

Gorgeous.Click on it to see the detail.
 
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