Are Christmas Trees Orthodox?

We are now preparing to celebrate the Nativity of Christ, so this is a timely question. It’s generally thought that the tradition of decorating Christmas trees originated in sixteenth century Germany - there doesn't seem to be any mention of them in early Orthodox sources.

However, it’s important to remember that the Orthodox Church is not a museum, but a living organism - the Body of Christ. The Church, therefore, does not hold that everything old is to be preferred over anything new. Some ancient traditions have fallen into disuse for pastoral or practical reasons, meanwhile new icons are painted, and hymns and prayers written to newly glorified saints. 

Many Orthodox families put up a Christmas tree at home, and some churches do too. Tsar Nicholas 1 imported the tradition into Russia in the early nineteenth century, and from that time decorating the Christmas tree became part of the Russian Royal Family's Christmas tradition. 

The Russian Royal Martyrs, Olga, Maria, Tatiana and Anastasia
         
                   

Christmas trees are OK from an Orthodox point of view, as long as we have a star at the top symbolizing the star that guided the Magi. The tradition of having a fairy is pagan in origin, the fairy being a symbol of fertility.

Finally, it’s important to remember that, even though we might put up a Christmas tree, our celebration of the Nativity of Christ is very different to that common in the west; for us, it is a joyous festival, but we must rejoice in spirit, and not just in body. For us Christmas is not just presents, tinsel and Christmas trees, but the celebration of the birth of the Saviour in Bethlehem - God become man.

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