I'm confused Christmas tree or not?

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Paula -

If your husband is against it, you need to let it go. Discuss it with him, but if he's not comfortable with it, don't push the issue and don't be upset with him for not being able to have a tree with a clear conscience. Having a Christmas tree isn't more important than peace in your home. Hang stockings, hang garland, hang up wreaths, stack gifts on hutch in the kitchen on a pretty table scarf--you don't need a tree to celebrate Christmas.

Christmas is just as much about what you do with your family as it is about gifts. Start different traditions. Our kids know that every year we'll make gingerbread men, we'll go shopping together, we put together a gingerbread house, we go look at lights, we go ice skating and have hot chocolate, etc. There's a lot to look forward to other than decorating a tree.

Your right about honoring husband

Funny how some will celebrate it but leave out tree due to being pagan but will do all the rest. If your gonna celebrate go all the way.

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by Paula

What about Jeremiah 10 verse 3 and 4?

Originally Posted by Paula

extra biblical meaning it's not in the bible? My husband is against it but we have three kids under 5 (well one just turned 6 this november) and I would love to start that tradition. My Church preaches against it though.

Paula, Jeremiah 10:3-4 was about Ashterah poles or other idols in my opinion. I've been in churches that quoted that verse in regard to Christmas trees; it's really something you and your husband will have to pray and consider. I didn't have a tree for 19 years. I'll enjoy a tree this year, but it doesn't make Christmas.

I'd do what Missbrattified suggested... try some decorations that won't compromise your husband's feelings on the matter. A nativity, wreaths, garland, swags with wintery flowers in them, lights around the windows, even special curtains or sheets for the kids beds with a holiday theme or in holiday colors (I have a snowman quilt and curtains in one room, holly curtains in another), a holly plant or poinsettia, angel decorations, Christmas music, peppermint sticks and pine cones mixed with regular decorations, scented candles, a Christmas-y table cloth... there are endless options for decorations that avoid a tree but still give a holiday feel.

The nativity is a good tradition--let the kids set it up slowly, and read the Christmas story as they put up the different parts of it, so they set up the shepherds as you read about the shepherds, for instance. Or read the Christmas story before putting up the nativity and then sing a few Christmas songs while you set it up. You can use a little real hay and discuss how prickly it would be to a baby, put some greenery around it, put a real star over it, go out to look at the night sky and talk about how bright the star would have needed to be, and so forth.

Keep in mind that with 3 kids under 5 you probably wouldn't have much of a tree for long anyway. My sister can't keep the kids out of hers, and is concerned they might turn it over on themselves. The important thing isn't the tree, anyway. It's the togetherness, shared laughter and shared memories. Those you can have with or without a tree.

[ILG]

I agree with Miss Brat. I don't think there is anything wrong with having a tree. I don't think there is anything wrong with disagreeing with your husband or your church, however, the way you handle that disagreement could make a very big difference in your life and the life of your kids, meaning, showing yourself to be flexible and compassionate towards views you disagree with is a huge lesson for your kids and I think would teach them more in the long run than going against your husband and church and putting your views above theirs. You can do what you can do....any tradition that you can begin will have meaning for them and you can all have fun with it without the tension over it.

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by ILG

...any tradition that you can begin will have meaning for them and you can all have fun with it without the tension over it.

I think of the arguments and attitudes my non-Pentecostal extended family has had through the years regarding Christmas: how much to spend, how much food to bring, whether paper plates were acceptable for holiday gatherings, and whether each person should get a gift from everyone else or just the kids... the overall stress the expectations put on families, and so forth. Christmas was never fun when there was arguing going on, no matter how nice the decorations were. At our house, we couldn't afford much and made most of our own decorations out of whatever we had. But those were the Christmas times worth remembering, times when the true meaning of Christmas-loving and giving to others-showed best.