This is the first part of an analysis of three Christmas songs.
If you really want to understand the simple meaning of Christmas, all you have to do is read the words of Christmas songs that are sang every year by millions of people around the world. The tradition of singing Christmas songs involved everyone standing around the Christmas tree to sing.
There are some newer Christianized songs written about baby Jesus, but we will examine several songs that involve what I consider the true spirit of Christmas, which does not involve Jesus at all. I call this the true spirit of Christmas because Christmas really revolves around a tree being decorated, not Jesus Christ. This holiday was celebrated long before Jesus was born. I believe the following songs capture the true meaning of Christmas: O’ Christmas Tree, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Silver and Gold.
{O’ Christmas Tree}
Although trees were worshipped in ancient times, this song is fairly new. It was written around the 1800s.* It was originally created in German as Tannenbaum. I’m using the literal translation in my commentary with two popular versions listed afterwards. In all cases, we are worshipping a tree when we sing this song.
| Words to Song | My Commentary |
| O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree How loyal are your leaves/needles! You’re green not only in the summertime, No, also in winter when it snows. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree How loyal are your leaves/needles! |
We’re singing to a tree. We tell the tree that it never dies unlike the other trees. We ascribe everlasting attributes to it. It survives the best and worst of seasons. Yet it remains strong. |
| O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree You can please me very much! How often has not at Christmastime A tree like you given me such joy! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You can please me very much! |
The tree brings us a lot of pleasure. When something is said at least twice it is considered confirmed. The tree brings this happiness to us every year. We are to be thankful for this. |
| O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree Your dress wants to teach me something: Your hope and durability Provide comfort and strength at any time. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, That’s what your dress should teach me. |
While nature does teach us many things, we derive our hope and strength from God Almighty, not a tree. Only God gives true comfort, not a tree. |
*The first known “Tannenbaum” song lyrics date back to 1550. A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (die Tanne) or Christmas tree (der Weihnachtsbaum).
| O Christmas Tree English Version 1Author unknownO Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches! In beauty green will always grow Through summer sun and winter snow. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches!O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, You are the tree most loved! How often you give us delight In brightly shining Christmas light! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, You are the tree most loved!O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, Your beauty green will teach me That hope and love will ever be The way to joy and peace for me. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, Your beauty green will teach me. |
O Christmas Tree English Version 2Author unknownO Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How steadfast are your branches! Your boughs are green in summer’s clime And through the snows of wintertime. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How steadfast are your branches!O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, What happiness befalls me when oft at joyous Christmas-time Your form inspires my song and rhyme. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, What happiness befalls meO Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson That constant faith and hope sublime Lend strength and comfort through all time. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson. |
Prayer Time
Our Heavenly Father, who is in heaven,
Help us to know the truth and then to speak the truth without hesitation.
In Yeshua the Messiah’s name, Amen.
Scripture Reference
Jeremiah 10:1-5 says, “Hear the word which YHVH speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord, “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles. Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are futile, for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold. They fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. They are upright like a palm tree and they cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them for they cannot do evil, nor can they do any good.”