I need some advice. My church has a tradition of erecting a Chrismon tree in the sanctuary in December. (The Chrismon tree is essentially a Christmas tree with supposedly Christian symbols hanging on it. But really, it's just another form of syncretism.)

This tradition preceded our current pastor's arrival when the church was a "community church". He also inherited the elders who were in place at the time. This was a few years ago. We now have some Reformed elders in the session and I want to propose that we cease the Chrismon tree tradition.

Am I wrong? I'd appreciate any thoughts regarding whether Chrismon trees are legit and whether your churches use these types of symbols.

Thanks in advance.

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Michael Masztal
Ruling Elder, Chapel By The Sea, ARP
Melbourne Beach, FL

I don't believe they have a place in the church worship area/sanctuary/auditorium. After three years and a lot of prayer we were able to remove the thing at one congregation I served. It wasn't without collateral damage, however.

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We shall not adjust our Bible to the age; but before we have done with it, by God's grace, we shall adjust the age to the Bible. - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Lawrence Underwood, Jr.
Pastor - Providence Family Fellowship / Mobile, Alabama
1644/46 LBC
My Blog - Imprimis

'Chrismon'? Yeppers, let's change the name, that'll make it okay. We won't pollute the church like those heathen! We'll pollute it differently.

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Dave
Attendee Chilliwack Heritage Reformed
Abbotsford, Canadia

"God does not love us the way we are! God loves us so that we can become what He wants us to be." - George Grant

Michael, I suggest you not approach the elders with Scynne's attitude.

The last time I got one removed, it was step by step. First I got them to move it out of the sanctuary and into the entryway to the church. Then a couple of years later I got them to remove it. I found the progressive way more effective than the all or nothing approach.

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Lance G. Marshall
Pastor
Georgetown, Indiana

For what it's worth, my old pastor Rushdoony loved the idea of a Christmas tree, since it symbolized the Tree of Life. I wouldn't have one in my home for years, but he mellowed me out a bit. Nowadays I personally draw the line at pictures of the Trinity, but I can't imagine my OPC church allowing that.

You most likely have more serious battles to fight, if my instinct serves me, and I'd consider picking your battles really carefully.

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Tim Vaughan
Member, Redeemer Presbyterian, OPC,
Santa Maria
California

No, "Chrismon" trees are not "legit". Sounds like another job for.............

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Ben Franks

I attend: Ketoctin Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC)
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"Remember the speeches we have spoken so often over our mead, when we raised boast on the bench, heroes in the hall, about hard fighting. Now may the man who is bold prove that he is."-Aelfwine at the Battle of Maldon

Michael, I would also suggest you not yell, in your attempt to correct this problem.

Michael, you are absolutely not wrong. And it's a very noble thing to approach the session, with the requisite love and humility all Christians should have when addressing concerns of sin with other Christians.

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Dad
Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCGA
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It is God that multiplies our sorrows.... God, as a righteous Judge, does it, which ought to silence us under all our sorrows; as many as they are, we have deserved them all, and more: nay, God, as a tender Father, does it for our necessary correction, that we may be humbled for sin, and weaned from the world by all our sorrows; and the good we get by them, with the comfort we have under them, will abundantly balance our sorrows, how greatly soever they are multiplied. - Matthew Henry

I personally hate seeing a tree in the sanctuary (or anywhere else in the meetinghouse). It is a distraction. The fantasy of tossing it out a window keeps replaying in my mind when I see one.

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Rich Koster
1689'er
Browns Mills NJ USA
Often Goofy Reformed Eccentric
Romans 7:14-25

That's not yelling, it's a dramatic announcer's voice! (Think, Superman...)

Thanks for the input. I will discuss this issue with some like minded elders prior tot he next meeting. The folks who brought the tree to the church 30 years ago have since left (on bad terms). This may be an opportune moment.

I understand this may be a touchy issue, but our we have to remember who we are worshipping. The church isn't the Elks or local Moose lodge.

Same thing I did.

BTW, what kind of vegetation do you use for Kwanza?

-----Added 8/11/2009 at 10:32:07 EST-----

Or Bruce Buffer?

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Curt Lovelace
Pastor, Covenant Baptist Church (CBA)
Acton, Maine
Director, Lifework Forum
Sermons at SermonAudio.com/CBCActon
Blogging at Coffee with Curt

Poison Ivy .. how about you?

Blueberry bushes (low bush). It is Maine, after all.

It was actually at a Baptist church that I was introduced to a Chrismon tree. I like it. I know this is about church meeting, however, this tree was decorated in a "Hanging of the Greens" ceremony. As each item went up, it's symbolism was explained. It reminds me of the Christian seder meal when every part of the meal points to Christ. We have a Chrismon tree in our home. The church I attend now does not have trees but they do put wreaths up during the holidays. If I was going to a church with a Chrismon tree, I don't think we would leave if someone decided not to do it anymore.

BTW when we celebrate Festivus, I like a golden pole with blue satin ribbon.

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Evon Taylor
Community Bible Church
Swansea, Il

Can someone explain please - where does the "mon" part of "Chrismon" come from? I've never heard the word before.

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JennyG
Church of Scotland (Presbyterian)
Fife, Scotland

That's basically how I did it as well.

-----Added 8/12/2009 at 07:37:26 EST-----

Yep, sometimes there are bigger battles that must be faced first, like getting a solid theological foundation in place.

-----Added 8/12/2009 at 07:38:09 EST-----


Kudzu here.

LawrenceU wrote:

"Yep, sometimes there are bigger battles that must be faced first, like getting a solid theological foundation in place."

Hi Lawrence:

I've been working on that, too with some success. It's been somewhat difficult getting people out of the "community church" mentality, but the other elders are generally supportive.

Well, this is a good time to discuss this topic, as tempers flare closer to December.

I think the only symbols we have today are the bread and the wine. To use a tree is akin to suggesting that the symbols and other means God has given us are insufficient to encourage appreciation of the Gospel and to stir our spirits to reverent worship. That is, we need to add to them to make things better.

Mr. Masztal, since you are an elder, it seems to me your biggest challenge is to decide whether you want to address this now, or if there are more pressing issues, such as the 'theological foundation' that you mention immediately above.

May the Lord grant you wisdom on these matters.

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Tim Lindsay
member, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, Halifax, NS, Canada
Living in Cape Town, South Africa
"under the Southern Cross, at the foot of Table Mountain, not far from the Cape of Good Hope"

Me too. Serenity NOW!

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Alan Hughes
PCA
Lake Zurich, Illinois

If you think I'm a Hyper-Calvinist, God planned that thought before the foundation of the Earth. If you try to tell me that God only planned some things and not all things, then your problem is with God not me.

And Festivus is the perfect time for the airing of grievances and feats of strength...

Michael, you are absolutely in the right, but you have also gotten some very sound advice (particularly Lance) above. If you need any "ARP inside baseball" advice, you know you can PM me.

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Tim Phillips
Pastor, Midlane Park Presbyterian Church (ARP)
Louisville, KY
Husband of Scottish Lass
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"Wherever the gospel is preached, it is as if God Himself came into the midst of us." ~ John Calvin

I would much rather have a Christmas tree in the sanctuary than a Christmon tree. I hate Christian re-branding and cutesy attempts to justify secular traditions. If one has qualms about a Christmas tree at church, then don't have one. If one doesn't have qualms about a Christmas tree at church, then have one and don't try to explain it away.

It's similar to the harvest festivals some churches put on, where they allow their children to dress up at the church and eat candy the weekend after or before Halloween.

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Eric
Woodgreen Presbyterian (PCA)
Calgary, Alberta CANADA

I agree. "We dont like to be like the 'sinners' around us so we will do the exact same thing they do and call it something different" What a great attitude. (Not attacking anyone directly just saying)

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Joseph F Scibbe
Chaplain Assistant
Chapel of Wings Ft Rucker Al
Ephesians 1:4-7, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:1-2
Titus 2:2 - But you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

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I say burn the tree and let the children roast marshmallows over the flame. It would teach the children about what happens to idol worshippers and entice them with the promise of smores. /sarcasm

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Andrew DeShazo
Husband of Kathryn
Father of Phillip-Giles B. DeShazo
Deacon
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN
"From out of the depth of unbroken Infinfity arose the Question, "Who am I?" And to that Question there is the answer, "I am God!" -Meher Baba, died 1969.

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Christ, died 33 AD, ressurected three days later.

Exactly. Well said. If you're re-branding it, you are acknowledging there is a problem with it's "secular" form and that adding a splash of Jesus will make it all better.

That is popular contemporary Christianity in a nutshell. Sad.

I am one of those who doesn't see a problem with a Christmas tree or Christmas being celebrated by the church. Bring on the Christmas tree, and keep it's name.

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Daniel
PCA
Memphis, TN

So Reformation day, held on Reformation day, where children dress up as Biblical characters to celebrate the Reformation and play games is bad because churches are presenting a Christian alternative to participation in a pagan holiday? Mind you, this is not "re-branding", it's something entirely seperate and alternative celebrating something entirely different.

I love you guys and say this with Christian love and charity, but you're whacked.

Oh yeah, I do Christmas trees. Burn me at the stake, I love the smell of a Douglas Fir in the morning.

Shoot, I just want some candy... This, as you said, is not simply rebranding but is entirely seperate from Halloween. Now a Church with a "Fall Festival" on Oct 31 where kids come dressed as other things and get lots of candy and say "Halloween is evil".... really?

I doubt anyone here is against a Reformation Day celebration. I'm all for it, as it's a great day.

I do think it's unfortunate that it shares a date with Halloween, and I'm not even anti-Halloween. If a church decides to host an event with costumes and candy on Oct 31 and call it a Reformation party, I don't think it's wrong. I think it's immature, but not wrong. Just call it what it is.
It is preferable, in my opinion, to do a reformation party sans all the Halloween stuff, then go home later that night to do trick-or-treating.

My post directed toward Tripel was too harsh and I retract it accordingly with my apologies.

Well, I already started this with the "Easter Egg Hunt" on Resurrection Sunday. It hasn't been ceased, but it did get moved to Saturday. Hopefully........

First, I didn't say anything about dressing up like ghosts, zombies, devils, and demanding candy from anyone.

Second, I don't have a problem with a Reformation celebration that is all about the Reformation. What I find immature is to have a "Reformation" party, but everyone is dressed up as lions, ninjas, superheroes, and cheerleaders.

Perhaps I shouldn't have commented when you brought up Reformation Day, because now we're getting off-topic.

When our Reformation day is announced, it is made explicit that children should be dressed as a Biblical character with an accompanying Bible verse.

It's always quite interesting though, as some of the folks in our congregation ignore the instruction because "they've been memebers forever", and also invite their friends and extended family. One woman who was either a friend or relative of someone in the congregation showed up as what I can only describe as a "hooker". It was bad, really bad. She was embarassed and rightfully so.

You should put out a notice that the only acceptable non-Biblical characters are: lady-bug, robot, lion, and cowboy.

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Jeremy Gage
First Baptist Church
Durham, NC

"No heart can conceive that treasury of mercies which lies in this one privilege, in having liberty and ability to approach unto God at all times, according to his mind and will." - John Owen

What's the difference between a Christmas tree and a Chrismon tree??

"It's always quite interesting though, as some of the folks in our congregation ignore the instruction because "they've been memebers forever", and also invite their friends and extended family. One woman who was either a friend or relative of someone in the congregation showed up as what I can only describe as a "hooker". It was bad, really bad. She was embarassed and rightfully so. "


I had a good friend come with his daughter who wanted to be a ballerina?...When I saw her, I whispered to my friend and said, "harlot?"...she was 4.

-----Added 8/12/2009 at 01:37:09 EST-----

JennyG, do you trust wiki?

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Zach Whitson
Clarksburg Baptist
Tipton, MO

One has secular idols on it and the other has religious idols on it.

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John Lanier
Elder in Training
Reformed Baptist Church
Topeka, KS

Thanks guys.
Silly me, not to have thought of that.... but since you ask, the answer is no, not an inch.
Religious idols? secular idols?
-sounds like a good answer, but I'm still mystified. Which is which, and what does "Chrismon" even MEAN?

-----Added 8/12/2009 at 01:50:11 EST-----

Wiki sheds no real light on the name, which is partly what I was interested in. As for the thing, it sounds not a lot different, except that it sounds worse on the whole. I think I'd rather stick to a bit of mindless tinsel to jolly up the church.

A Chrismon tree is decorated with things like anchors, seashells, crosses, XP symbols and the like. The ones I have seen are almost always either white or gold decorations. (Normally, they seem to be cheap styrofoam with gold glitter )

My parent's church has a chrismon tree that they put up every year and it has crosses, what they consider to be angels, statues of what they consider to be Christ, and other symbols.

The christmas tree instead has the secular idol of santa claus, reindeer, etc. etc.

From dictionary.com

chrismon
- 2 dictionary results
chris⋅mon
  /ˈkrɪzmɒn/

–noun
Chi-Rho.

the Christian monogram () made from the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.
Also called chrismon.

Origin:
first two letters of Gk Christós Christ. See chi, rho

secular idol :: as in a non-worshipped idol?
religious idol :: Christmas trees with little golden calves?
American idol :: would these be allowed on a Weihnachtsbaum?
Billy Idol :: don't even want to think about these on my Christmas tree.