Walter Hinteler wrote:Foofie wrote:Would I be correct to think that Christmas trees started as a pagan tradition for something in the pre-Christian faith(s)? And, it was adopted by Christianity to make conversion to Christianity more palatable to ex-pagans?
That might well be. Many different tribes and many cults used trees for ceremonial purposes.
A 'fir tre' - the tree commonly called 'christmas tree' - is first sourced being used about 1500.
They became a common Protestant/Eveangelical trdition as opposed to the Catholic traditon of setting up cribs (nativity sets).
However, you don't recycle cribs ... :wink:
Your explanation is very interesting.
In visiting the Amish in Pennsylvania years ago, I heard that the tradition of having model electric trains going, in a circle, around the base of the decorated Christmas tree is referred to as a Putz. Is this strictly a U.S. tradition?
I never heard that the Creche (Nativity scene) was of Catholic origin. Here in the U.S. there have been some strong feelings about Creche's being set up in front of government buildings, since there is supposed to be a "separation of Church and State in the U.S.," and some people have taken counties to court to have a Creche removed during the Christmas season. I think the usual position of the anti-Creche concerns is that a Creche is a religious symbol, yet usually no complaint is made, I thought, about a Christmas tree?
I personally don't think the religious significance of the Creche is what brings out such strong anti-Creche feelings, but rather the unconscious concern, that the "adorable" baby in the manger, could possibly make a young daughter of agnostic parents want to adopt the faith that has such an "adorable baby" for the purpose of a holiday.
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