This year, we purchased our seven-foot Christmas tree from the very fancy tree lot at The Home Depot. At the end of the holiday season last year, a kind, elderly lady who was moving out of her home and into an assisted living facility gave me a bunch of beautiful, silver and gold balls. Combined with our silver star, white lights, and other ornaments, the balls are a great addition!
Still, my favorite decoration is the tree stump ornament that I made from our first Christmas tree.
Do you have a tree this year? What color are your lights and ornaments?
Anonymous
Blue and purple lights. Blue, silver, and purple ornaments.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Nice! Purple and blue were our wedding colors. ๐
Ellie
Anonymous
No tree, because my cats would eat it, electrocute themselves on the lights, or strangle themselves with the wires. Also, I have my mother's, grandmother's, and great-grandmother's glass ornaments, some more than 100 years old. I also have the ornaments my mother let me pick out (one a year) when I was growing up. No way can I put these up around the cats – the ornaments are priceless. But I love my cats so this is the choice I make every year, to keep them safe.
Anonymous
I had cats for decades and have always had a Christmas tree. My cats have never attempted any of the things you describe. My ornaments have always been safe from the cats. I am sorry you cannot have cats and trees. Ellie, your tree looks very nice. I have a collection of angel ornaments I have been collecting for about 30 years. Ornaments the kids made when they were small, glass ornaments and birds that were my mother's. All my ornaments have memories. We used to cut down a Christmas tree every year with our children at a tree farm, now we have an artificial tree but still enjoy the process of decorating it. Eileen
Anonymous
Cat or dogs around trees can be very dangerous.
Anonymous
My cats mess with the ornaments and presents but not the lights. When the kids were small, we would go to the woods and cut a tree down. Those were the best. Now we have an artificial tree.
Anonymous
We have four cats and they have never touched the Christmas tree. Are you going by what your cats have done previously or what you are worried that they might do?
Bee ๐
Anonymous
Some cats are high energy, very curious, and very destructive. Some cats will break or chew anything they can get their paws on, even if they have tons of their own (safe) toys to play with instead. You just can't trust some cats around things like Christmas trees and decorations. You'd have to stand there 24/7 and patrol. If you don't, you're asking for a trip to the kitty ER. Then you'll have to answer to the vet about why the cat was allowed to be around something so potentially dangerous.
Alicia Mae
What a lovely tree! Ours has white lights and blue/green/purple ornaments. (Purple is my mom's favorite color ๐) We also have a small artificial tree with multicolored lights, decorated with reds and greens, and all the handmade ornaments my siblings and I made over the years.
The tree stump ornament you made is so cute and clever!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That sounds beautiful, Alicia Mae! Thank you. ๐ I'm hoping the ornament lasts for years to come, although it's quite fragile.
Ellie
Anonymous
Your Christmas tree is lovely. I like how you received your silver and gold balls. Since we're not as young as we use to be, we have a 3 foot artificial tree. We hang silver, gold, red balls, silver garland, red bows and a silver angel on top. ..Jane
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thanks, Jane. I'm sure that's a beautiful tree. Love the idea of red bows.
Ellie
Regina
We are going to put our tree and decorations up tomorrow. It will have white lights.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Did decorating go well, Regina?
Ellie
Anonymous
I thought the Bible said that the practice of cutting a tree from the forest tacking it up and decorating it was pagan. Since I read that I have lost my affection for this custom. There are boxes and boxes of trees, wreaths and ornaments in the garage that just sit there because I have lost interest. Trees look ok with decorations but I do not look at them the same heartfelt way now. I try to obey the word.
Anonymous
Honest question: What chapter/verse discusses Christmas trees?
Anonymous
Jeremiah 10:1-5.
Anonymous
The right verse to look up is Jeremiah 10:1-5.
SuperJames526
Well, the context of those verses has to do with worshiping such trees. Not only were their idols house decorations, but they replaced their worship and honor to God by putting their faith in pieces of wood.
Anonymous
This verse talks about shaping the tree with a chisel, so I would think it means a carved wooden idol rather than a Christmas tree.
Anyway, the early church adapted existing religious festivals which is why we celebrate Christmas in December based on the old Roman festival of Saturnalia.
Bee ๐
Mary
Actually, Anon (original poster), the pagan symbolism is just one part of the story. Christians actually use use the Christmas tree as a sign of everlasting life with God. Saint Boniface, In 722, encountered some pagans who were about to sacrifice a child at the base of a huge oak tree. He cut down the tree to prevent the sacrifice and a Fir tree grew up at the base of the oak. He then told everyone that the evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was a holy tree – the tree of the Christ child, and a symbol of His promise of eternal life. I know a lot of other religions claim a lot of Christmas traditions are pagan, but what they donโt know is that they actually have a deep Christian meaning to them.
Anonymous
Well I guess we're all heathen then! Hope you take every other verse of the Bible as literally as you take this one, too. You can't pick one verse to obey but ignore the others.
Anonymous
We are no longer bound to Old Testament laws.
Anonymous
I respect your beliefs and desire to follow the Word. Everything I know, have been taught and researched about that particular passage has told me that that chapter is discussing idolatry. That is that heathens were fashioning idols out of things. In these verses, the people of Israel were being told about the heathens who cut down trees and carved pieces of wood into gods and adorned the wood with gold and silver and worshipped them as gods. It is felt that this cannot be interpreted as Christmas trees. We also do not see Christmas trees as idols or gods to worship. Eileen
Anonymous
If you take the time to actually read, study, and understand the context in which these verses were written, you will see that it is not talking about "Christmas trees." It is referring to the practice of pagans who would cut down trees to be shaped and chiseled by a craftsman (in verse 3) into idols (in verse 5), which they would then decorate to make them "attractive" to look at and to worship.
This passage from Jeremiah is an echo of the first and second commandments, in which the Lord commands His people to not have any other gods before Him, nor to make any idols. The historical context of these verses in Jeremiah shows us that the Lord is telling His people not to do as the pagans of that day did by making idols out of wood (or stone, gold, iron, silver, or anything else).
Anonymous
Well I don't know if I should comment or not, but I grew up with a conviction that Christmas trees are or can be a distraction from what Christmas is really all about so in a way I feel the same way to what the Bible teaches but much more so that it's just another thing to feel up our lives and spirits with and not give enough time to God or giving to others during this time. We still have a small gift exchange with my husband and children and give one gift each to the children. It cuts down on cost especially and maybe a little of the "all about ME" attitude that comes from so many gifts. I have an old decorative sleigh we put the gifts in or around it. There is other ways to do it then lighted trees! We also focus on giving a big basket full of cmas goodies, casserole, pie, hot drinks, and a few other gifty stuff to a less fortunate family in the neighborhood and go carol and give the basket to them. This year is to a newly widow with several children that don't have any family it appears like.
Tara G.
This passage refers to those who use common materials to fashion idols for worship rather than worshipping the One True God. Isaiah has a similar passage (Is. 44). Unless the tree tempts you to sin in your heart, I think you have the freedom to enjoy decorations, including a tree. Blessings.
Anonymous
Yes, Mary, I have always loved that story! Our family has never had one because it would probably offend certain relatives, but personally we have nothing wrong with them.
Anonymous
It seems to be an ancient, ancient custom, to go into the forest and get a tree and then set it up and decorate it. This custom has obviously never been extinquished. Now we claim it to honour Jesus's birth. But the Bible does say it is a vain custom and not to do this. The trees we so admire are more than the peacock Mr Handsome painted. We really love them. And the idea that Santa flies around in a sleigh is a different spirit than the holy spirit. The Bible says not to feast with demons and the Holy spirit. I am genuinely confused as to if this is really a holy holiday.
Anonymous
Just bear in mind that the commercial ("wordly," whatever) side of Christmas with its traditions is different than the religious side of Christmas, with its traditions. There's no reason why you can't recognize both. Following one doesn't mean you can't follow the other. You can choose both ways to celebrate. You're not being immoral if you do. Rational people know the difference between the two, and there's no conflict. Many churches put up trees, either for decoration or as a Giving Tree.
Anonymous
re "There's no reason you can't recognize both…", the reason is that the Bible does make a reference to not follow a similar vain heathen custom. The Bible says it is just a tree cut with an ax from the forest, fashioned, propped up and decorated that has no power to do evil or good to man. Jesus admonished the disciples that they often erred because they did not know the scriptures. Studying the Bible is supposed to set people free from the spirits, gods, culture and practises, etc. around them.
Shela G
Our tree has multi colored lights. It has a wide assortment of different kinds of ornaments. It was kind of bitter sweet decorating it this year. A lot of the ornaments we put on it were given to me by my Grandmother as I was growing up. She passed away in May.
Anonymous
I'm sorry about your loss shela! Those things can be very bittersweet. I can feel your pain…we had 9 family members pass away in 31/2 years. 2 fathers, 1 mother, 3 grandparents, 2 uncles, and 1 aunt. I wish and hope it will stop for awhile.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
So sorry to hear that, Shela. Christmas can be a difficult time when you have lost a loved one. Will be praying for you!
My grandfather passed away last night. He was close to 100 and not doing well, so we're grateful that he is no longer suffering, but I know the holidays will be especially difficult for my grandmother.
Ellie
Shela G
Ellie I am sorry for the loss of your Grandfather. I will be praying for your family. Thank you for your prayers for for me.
Shela G
To the anonymous poster. Your family has been through a very hard season. So many loved ones to lose in a short time. I can imagine it has been so difficult and painful. I will be praying for your family. I do know your name but God does. I wish you a very merry and blessed Christmas.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you, Shela. Praying for the anonymous commenter, as well.
Ellie
Anonymous
Thankyou Shela and Ellie. I got tears in my eyes over your words. I appreciate your soft, kind words. It's been difficult as it was my husbands father that suddenly passed away this October (mine did earlier)so now here at Christmas the family will all meet at the family farm to start working at cleaning out and getting things ready for the farm auction. So it will NOT be a pleasurable Christmas trip this year. I am actually dreading it. Thanks so much for your prayers.
Anonymous
This is me again. Just wanted to give a "hug" to Ellie as well over her loss. I will be thinking and praying for you as well. So sorry, Ellie! Life is never the same again as one by one our family leaves, is it?…but God does help with the burden if you look to Him often.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you so much. It's tough to cope with the loss of a loved one, but I'm grateful for God's goodness.
Ellie
Christine Sanford
we put ours up yesterday… well we put it up and realized the electrical was half broken so we took it down and went to the store and bought a new one hahah. but then put that up and decorated it. we have a colorful lighted start and the lights on the tree are white. we decorate it with a collection of ornaments. we don't use a color theme or plain balls or anything just a collection of us and ornaments we have together through the years. it is a tree of memories.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Trees full of memories are wonderful!
Ellie
Anonymous
We have a tree with lights that change color, so we could have white lights or colorful lights. It is pretty cool! We have red, silver and gold balls.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That's neat. Never heard of that before. Can you choose the color, or does it rotate through different colors?
Ellie
AmyRyb
I always grew up with multicolored lights and lots of ornaments, but when I moved out on my own I really wanted a tree but had to do it on a budget. I bought a 6ft fake tree at Walmart, a couple strings of white lights, three strands of silver bead garland, and one spool of red ribbon to make bows. I did it all for $30. I used that tree for years, but by year 2 I had my ornaments, which include 30+ years of annual Hallmark ornaments from my grandma, and an annual angel ornament from my mom. So many memories! This year I'm starting to make a collection for my two boys so they will have ornaments to carry with them when they are older.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Love it, Amy! Christmas decor doesn't have to be expensive to be meaningful. Love that you bought your first tree on the cheap.
Ellie
Anonymous
We put ours up yesterday – a much taller one than normal! Surprisingly both our cat and our dog ignore the tree and have never messed with it. We use colored lights and silver garland and each ornament on our tree has a special meaning. My parents had started a tradition when my brother and I were babies to get us each an ornament every Christmas, so that when we got married/moved into our own places, we would take our ornaments with us and have some for our trees. I have my first ornament from when I was a baby, all the way up to last years (they STILL buy us ornaments!) and my husband and I have continued the tradition by buying an ornamnent each year from places weโve visited or an event we may have gone to. I hope to continue our tradition when we have our own children!
Anonymous
My husband and I are like your parents, giving ornaments to our children from the time they were born to now! It is fun to give the ornaments and still contribute to the decorating even though they now have kids of their own. We also buy ornaments for each of the grandchildren. Eileen
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That sounds like a great tradition! We bought an ornament when we visited the Redwoods last year, and it's very special.
Ellie
Anonymous
I bought a new ornament each year for each of our children as they were growing up and these go with them as they leave home. On our tree we also have two glass ornaments from my childhood which came from my mother's childhood, so they are nearly 90 years old. We also have stars made from lollipop sticks by each child when they were in Nursery school <3
Your tree is beautiful Ellie and it's so lovely to collect ornaments as the years go by x
Bee ๐
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you, Bee. ๐ How neat to have antique ornaments, alongside ornaments made by your children.
Ellie
Anonymous
I don't put a tree up either because if my cat. It's kind of nice because I don't have to take anything down.
I'm also allergic to christmas trees they make my eyes water, and I start sneezing.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
What kind of cat do you have?
Ellie
Anonymous
That tree is pretty bare.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Lol, it's definitely isn't as full as it could be. I would rather collect memorable ornaments through the years and work my way up. ๐
Ellie
Tara G.
We have several trees – we have a family one with white lights, gold & silver trimmings & all of the kids' ornaments. We also have a Jesse Tree & love reading Scripture each night as a family before adding the ornament to symbolize the passage. Our kids have small trees in their rooms because there's just something special about twinkling lights!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Love it! Are they real trees or artificial?
Ellie
Anonymous
The tree is beautiful. We put our tree up and will decorate it soon. Wishing you and Mr. Handsome a Blessed Christmas and a Happy,Healthy 2018.
Joan,Marion and marilyn
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too!
Ellie
Anonymous
You are suppose to turn lights off when you go to bed because of fires. A neighbor of mine house burned down because he left the lights on on the tree.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That's a great reminder! You can also use a light timer so you don't have to worry about turning them on and off.
Ellie
Cheryl
Your tree is lovely, Ellie. I prefer clear non-twinkling lights on my tree, and I adorn with only red, silver, and white ornaments and clear/glass angels. Of course when my children were young, they made many ornaments and those would always go on the tree, but as they are now adults, I've begun new traditions, however, I am planning to return to using homemade ornaments now that the grandchildren are arriving.My tree topper is an angel.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you, Cheryl! Your tree sounds beautiful. I'm sure the angel ornaments are lovely.
Ellie
Anonymous
Ellie, I am sorry your grandfather has passed away. I send prayers to you and your family and especially your grandmother. I am sure she will have loving family to support and strengthen her. My thoughts, condolences and prayers for you all. Eileen
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you, Eileen. Your thoughts, prayers, and condolences are very much appreciated.
Ellie
Anonymous
Your tree is beautiful. I love the story of the woman who gave you the ornaments. My birthday is in December so I have ornaments that have been birthday gifts from friends. I also have ornaments from places we have visited. There are also old ornaments from my mother's tree and my sister's tree. It is a wonderful blessing for me, every year, to unpack, remember, and share stories with my grandchildren who help me decorate.
Anonymous
It looks a little bare. Needs more ornaments. I think colorful lights really jazz up a tree too! We give an ornament as a gift to all family members and friends each year. You could start doing that. Pintest has ideas for crafty people. After the holiday Walmart and Target will have ornaments on sale. You should pick up some then.