Some say the Christmas tree is a pagan symbol. They point to various ancient pagan religions which decorated trees to celebrate their deities, including Greeks, Romans, and Germanic peoples.

:[[1Co 10:31]] ... whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

We celebrate in the evening and the morning because God is reconciled with man and man to God.

Water is a symbol of the word of God. We place a bucket of water for the tree to remind us of Christ's baptism to fulfill all righteousness.

So we don't forget the picture, it was painted again at his death. Water and blood poured from his pierced side forming the waters below, and a sign placed by Pilate representing the declaration of the kings of the world “King of the Jews”. The water below and the word above. Many people place a sign at the top of the tree saying something like “Peace on earth”. But even if there is no sign, the water below reminds us of his baptism.

The tree represents the cross. When we say the cross, we don't just mean the wooden tool of execution. We refer to it as a metaphor for all that happened at the cross.

:[[Col 1:20]] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

We choose an evergreen tree which is cut at the root. It is cut at the root to indicate that Jesus, in the flesh, bore our sins in judgment.

The evergreen tree remains green though it has been cut off at the root. This represents the resurrection of Christ, and his everlasting life. His resurrection is real. Other religions use smoke to represent moving off to a spiritual existence. But Jesus rose from the dead with his physical body. The wood of the tree being of an earthly nature reminds us that Jesus has married the flesh in resurrection. This gives us great joy since in the flesh he has married the church. We are the bride of Christ, waiting his physical return.

Garlands wrap and bind the tree just as Abraham bound Isaac as a symbol of Christ dying for us. The symbol is supposed to be that of thorns such as those that entrapped the ram which replaced Isaac. The thorns represent the cares of the world. The ram (as Christ) died because he cared for the world.

See other colors below for other representations.

Tinsel represents grass, which is the same symbol as the bread of communion. Since we are the sheep (cattle of His pasture), we eat of Him and be full.

:[[Joh 12:27]] ¶ Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Jesus said that we are the light of the world. But we are only small lights in the firmament. We place the small lights in the tree to represent that we are the children of Abraham (stars).

:[[Joh 15:5]] I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Sometimes our trees are covered with all kinds of things. Decorations made by loved ones, pictures, small toys. This is a reminder that Jesus is concerned with all the things we are concerned about. The good things and the bad are all important to him. He remembers with us the things we remember.

:[[Ps 55:22]] Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

God wishes to dwell with men.

:[[Re 21:3]] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

:[[Ro 1.18]] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.