Dec 9 Sat
What is the meaning of the Christmas Tree?
THE TREE itself represents the tree of Paradise (cf. Gen 2:9-17), whose forbidden fruit Adam and Eve ate in disobedience to God, originating sin.
But, unlike other trees that lose their leaves in winter, looking dead, the fir tree, and the pine keep their leaves green. Thus, it is symbol of Christ, who, by dying, removed our sin, and brought us life everlasting. He did so in another tree, on the Cross. The tree NEEDLES remind us of his crown of thorns.
Look how the tree is directed towards the sky, like an arrow-head, towards God. So, all of us, gather around it pray, not in the wild forest, but in our homes, or in our place of work; Love will be shelter there.
The tree also reminds us of the prophecy of Isaiah, who announced the Messiah: “A shoot shall sprout from the tree of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom" (Is 11:1).
The ORNAMENTS we hang on it represent the virtues that should adorn our soul to be like Jesus: peace, love, kindness, joy, faithfulness, generosity, fortitude…
A shining STAR is the Christmas tree topper; the star guided the wise men to Jesus Child in Bethlehem. An ANGEL is also used representing the angel who announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds. The cane-shaped CANDY, like shepherd’s crook, represents them.
THE LIGHTS remind us that the Lord Jesus is the light of the world that illuminates our lives, leading us out of the darkness of sin, and guiding us, on our pilgrimage, back to the Father's House.
THE GIFTS placed at the foot of the tree symbolize those gifts with which the Magi adored the Christ Child. They also remind us of how much God the Father loved the world that He freely gave His only Son, so that, everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. Jesus is the most perfect gift, the most precious gift.
RITE OF BLESSING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
ALL: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
READER 1: (The father, or another member of the family:)
Blessed be God,
The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who has filled us with every spiritual blessing
In heaven, in Christ.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
READER 2: (One of those present reads the following text from Sacred Scripture:)
“The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir, and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place” (Is 60:13).
READER 1: PRAYER OF BLESSING
(The one who leads the prayer, with joined hands, pronounces the prayer of blessing:)
Let us pray.
Blessed are you, our Father and Lord
who grant us to remember with faith
the mysteries of the birth of the Lord Jesus
in these days before Christmas.
Grant, that those of us who have adorned this tree
and have embellished it with lights,
with the joy of celebrating Christmas,
that we may also live
following in the footprints of your Son
and in the light of his examples
to be enriched with the virtues
that shine in his holy childhood.
Glory be to Him forever and ever.
Amen.
ALL: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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