O Christmas Tree

To my joy, it is once again the Christmas season. I've brought out the (on-line) Advent calendar. I've annoyed my downstairs neighbors by jigging to "Christmas in Kilarney" (it's a reasonably authentic rendition, too). I've gone Christmas shopping.

I've also celebrated in religious ways. I've sung of three wise men seeing a star of wonder and joined the "Angels We Have Heard on High" in glorias. I've gone to church, heard the prophets tell of a messiah and rejoiced in His coming.

All of these celebrations and preparations come at the same time and may mingle together. The Christmas tapes I have include both "Jingle Bells" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." At home, my family is bringing in a Christmas tree while also setting up a nativity scene. While to the outsider these seem to be in-kind celebrations, they mean radically different things to me.

Recently, a writer on this page who spoke of fostering religious dialogue on campus asked what a number of symbols meant, including the Christmas tree. On a campus where the trees have provoked controversy, the answer is important: Christmas trees have no religious significance at all.

The Christmas tree is a secular symbol of the season. There wasn't a glimmering pine tree beside the manger on the first Noel, just as there wasn't a bunny hiding eggs in the tomb on Easter morning. There's a lovely story about a lost woodcutter led home by fairies placing lights on trees, and the evergreens could be a pagan tradition incorporated into seasonal preparations, but nothing holy is involved. For that reason, Christmas trees do not deserve protection as religious symbols.

The confusion about what carries religious meaning and what does not is easy to understand. My family Christmas tree has either an angel or a star on top and these items do have religious nothing holy is involved. For that reason, Christmas trees do not deserve protection as religious symbols.

The confusion about what carries religious meaning and what does not is easy to understand. My family Christmas tree has either an angel or a star on top, and these items do have religious significance. There is also the troubling figure of Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas. There is a Christian saint named Nicholas, but he did not live with elves at the North Pole. And while Advent calendars carry the name of the religious season, some contain a Bible verse or piece of the Bethlehem story each day, and some contain chocolates. But this confusion can and should be cleared up.

One of my favorite things about college has been learning about the various faiths (and lack thereof) of my friends. This knowledge has made my own religious experience richer and allowed me a glimpse of cultures far different from my own. For that reason, I support allowing displays of all conceivable faiths and even non-faiths in the common areas. I think we can all learn from each other; for me, this type of open sharing is what diversity is all about.

For many students, the Christmas tree is homey and familiar when a nativity scene or Advent wreath would not be. But for other students, particularly those from non-Christian traditions, that isn't true. I think the advocates of Christmas trees have recognized this and have wisely avoided using homeyness as their defense for putting one up. Instead, the trees have been incorrectly incorporated into a debate about religious symbols in public spaces.

When I see I Christmas tree placed beside a hanukkiah, I feel frustrated. My culture is represented, but my faith is not. I am willing to see a Christmas tree removed if one or two people don't particularly like it. I would not be willing to remove a hanukkiah, and I feel the same about a creche or Advent wreath. Religious expressions deserve special protection.

If trees are displayed as seasonal art exhibits from a particular tradition and people do not object, fine. But if one or two house residents feel this is not an art exhibit they want house funds paying for, I'll be the Grinch, Scrooge or other secular symbol of Christmas-bashing and suggest it's time to take the trees down. If we are serious about sharing religion and learning from each other, I am ready to light the pink candle of an Advent wreath next Sunday and explain the religious significance and celebrations of the Christmas season.

Have a wonderful break and a happy holiday season, whenever yours may be.

Valerie J. MacMillan's column appears on alternate Thursdays.