[The Mayor]

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.


Revelation 1:16. and he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

What does either of these verses have to do with Christmas.

Look at Jeremiah 10:2-4
"Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth the tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammers, that it move not.

[DallasMike]

Verse 5 goes on to say, "Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good."

Whatever its origins, Christmas trees have been appropriated by Christians because of what they symbolize. Evergreen trees that do not "die" in winter like other trees are a sign of hope throughout winter -- hope in the promise that the rest of nature too will awaken to new life in the coming spring. The Christmas tree message is nothing but this: through Jesus Christ we also have hope for everlasting life, and that hope will not disappoint us.

Christmas trees are nothing to be afraid of or shunned because of some pagan past, real or imagined. They're our trees now!