Posted on 12/23/2017 2:45:52 PM PST by NKP_Vet
ROME, Italy, December 22, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) – The decorations on the Vatican Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square this year are devoid of Christian religious symbols, a veteran Vaticanist reports.
"Look," a friend of Dr. Robert Moynihan pointed out to him. "There are peace signs, and the oriental yin-yang signs, but no angels, no depictions of the Magi, no images of Mary, nothing but universal symbols.”
"We have not seen a single religious symbol, not a single Christian symbol, on the tree."
Close up of the 2017 Vatican Christmas tree showing a yin-yang symbol.Dr. Robert Moynihan Continued Moynihan: “And I too saw that there seemed not to be a single Christian symbol on the tree, unless the star on the top of the tree could be considered a sign of the star that led the Magi to the Christ-child.”
The report came in Moynihan’s December 20 eLetter, which recounted his running into two friends recently while walking through St. Peter's Square. Moynihan is the founder and editor-in-chief of Inside the Vatican magazine.
Moynihan said his friends were alarmed about the tree decorations.
“Many nuns in Rome say they are shocked and are very worried about the message these decorations are sending to the youngest,” Moynihan’s friend said. “I wish I knew the Pope's secretaries to tell them to tell the Pope what is on the Square, if really the Holy Father wants to go and to bless such things. The worst thing for all these sponsors would be for the Pope not to come to the Square on December 31.”
The tree is a gift to the Vatican from Poland. It was Pope St. John Paul II who established the tradition of Christmas trees in St. Peter’s Square decades ago.
Media reports by and large on the ornaments followed the Vatican report’s lead, mentioning that the ornaments were created by children receiving treatment at several Italian hospitals and children from the Italian Archdiocese of Spoleto-Norcia, which was rocked by earthquakes in 2016.
News reports discussed the ornaments being made of synthetic materials to stand up to winter weather, but not the ornaments’ designs.
Moynihan’s friends told him that in past years, the Christmas tree had been decorated with brilliant white and yellow balls, denoting the Vatican colors.
The two said as well they had written a letter to the Government of Vatican City, protesting the decorations on the Christmas tree.
Controversy continues to swirl around the Vatican Nativity for its particular approach to using nudity. Facebook flagged the image of this year’s Nativity display for being “sexually suggestive or provocative.”
The tree and the Nativity scene are set to remain in St Peter’s Square until the evening of Sunday, January 7, 2018, when the Church celebrates the feast of the Lord’s Baptism.
Are Christmas trees, yule logs (at el) borne from pagan origins? I would ask simply why any Christian site would be adorned with these trappings...
Most churches have Chrismons, symbols of the Christian faith fashioned by the women’s groups, on their Christmas trees. It’s a lovely way to teach the articles of faith to the children.
Satan’s emissary
How about the Ten Commandments?
The ornaments on our own tree include two Nativity scenes, several Angels, stars, a cross and a beautiful glass ornament of John Paul Il the Great.
Oh puleeeesseee! Do you wear clothes woven from two separate types of thread???
Do you follow Mosaic dietary laws??
YESSSSSS!!!!!
No Claude Rains moment here.
Well, the current Pope does not appear to be a Christian, so ....
They have a yin-yang. I want to find the Star and crescent.
#MakeThePopeCatholicAgain
That is not a Christmas scene. It’s disgusting.
All I’m saying is that a Christmas tree was always a pagan thing.
You do what you want with that.
Try looking behind the naked guy writhing on the ground in front of the tree.
Does the tree topper look like Hilary?
You talking about the dead guy? Why would they add that to this? It’s disgusting
It's not a good idea to talk about it here as there have been bitter disputes in the past. I mean no disrespect to what I am reasonably certain are good and true in any church I will defend. Things that make me uneasy make me uneasy now but didn't used to, didn't question, think about, or research these things.
Years ago I had conversations with a carpenter who was remodeling my kitchen and some other things. He claimed to be nondenominational which are bible only and with their own self-appointed authority. He said I shouldn't have a Christmas tree. I said in a moderate tone that I liked them and was going to have them.
All the work he did didn't last, cabinets fell off the wall, molding came unglued, and the storm windows, I should have done better homework because they work better than none but are horrid to raise and lower and impossible to wash without taking off completely for about 26 windows. So they stay mostly dirty.
I just mention that as meaning probably nothing but could be a sign. The bible says something about mens' works lasting like some ancient works do.
I don't know why I torment myself with all this now. I noticed it doesn't seem to bother in the least most Christians. I use the bible extensively but it is abundantly clear that Jesus' clear intention was to found a church, set up a hierarchical system of ministerial roles and expected us to come together regularly in some manner to worship in spirit and truth.
Thank you for sharing that. It was really nice.
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