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.
__________________
Today pull up the little weeds,
The sinful thoughts subdue,
Or they will take the reins themselves
And someday master you. --Anon.
The most deadly sins do not leap upon us, they creep up on us.
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.
__________________
What we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will - if we let it - make of us.~Rich Mullins
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.~Galileo Galilei
Last edited by missourimary; 12-01-2010 at 11:14 AM.
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.
__________________
Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
...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.
__________________
What we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will - if we let it - make of us.~Rich Mullins
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.~Galileo Galilei
Paula, I hope you and your husband get this figured out.
Christmas trees are vastly less important than you and your husband being on the same page. Your kids need a mom and dad that arent pulling against one another in front of them.
I personally have no issue with a Christmas tree and find nothing biblical for or against the custom.
But I wouldnt have one in my house if it were to cause striff with my wife and cause confusion with our boys....
I pray you guys figure that out. it is way more important.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Paula, I hope you and your husband get this figured out.
Christmas trees are vastly less important than you and your husband being on the same page. Your kids need a mom and dad that arent pulling against one another in front of them.
I personally have no issue with a Christmas tree and find nothing biblical for or against the custom.
But I wouldnt have one in my house if it were to cause striff with my wife and cause confusion with our boys....
I pray you guys figure that out. it is way more important.
Paula, I hope you and your husband get this figured out.
Christmas trees are vastly less important than you and your husband being on the same page. Your kids need a mom and dad that arent pulling against one another in front of them.
I personally have no issue with a Christmas tree and find nothing biblical for or against the custom.
But I wouldnt have one in my house if it were to cause striff with my wife and cause confusion with our boys....
I pray you guys figure that out. it is way more important.
so true!
__________________
Today pull up the little weeds,
The sinful thoughts subdue,
Or they will take the reins themselves
And someday master you. --Anon.
The most deadly sins do not leap upon us, they creep up on us.
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.
Well that's a conflict... husband is against, church is against, but you are coming on AFF for other's to recommend you to do it anyway?
Pray your husband frees himself from legalism, changes churches and then you can freely celebrate Christmas as a family
Or... chalk it up... it's just a Christmas tree and it's a holiday you can still observe in a spiritual and family-oriented way and have fun with it.
Paula, I hope you and your husband get this figured out.
Christmas trees are vastly less important than you and your husband being on the same page. Your kids need a mom and dad that arent pulling against one another in front of them.
I personally have no issue with a Christmas tree and find nothing biblical for or against the custom.
But I wouldnt have one in my house if it were to cause striff with my wife and cause confusion with our boys....
I pray you guys figure that out. it is way more important.
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.
Some very wise advice here. Plus, If the church you attend preaches against it and your children get old enough to see you doing it anyways that will certainly make them feel they wouldnt need to abide by things the church teaches whether you really feel it is wrong or not. I think the issue would be more about that than a christmas tree.
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