First, the tree must be sacrificed to be glorified. Yes, there are those who have living Christmas trees. One that can be planted after it's been decorated. Not really a satisfactory experience. We did one year. But there is wisdom involved in a tree that was created for one purpose. Then when the fullness of time has come the tree is cut down before it's glorified.
Second, It was on an ugly tree that Jesus was Sacrificed. A tree that was raw and unadorned except for his blood. A tree that represents a curse "cursed is every one hangs on a tree". Galatians 3:13. That curse is the ornament of our sin laid on Jesus. Then as we think of Jesus at Christmas we beautify a tree as a reversal of the curse. What satan meant for evil in bringing Jesus to the cross is now made beautiful. When you look at the tree it will speak not only of Jesus birth, it speaks of the Tree that bore his body and it speaks of the Glory when he comes again to bring us to that stream beside which is the healing tree of life. As we decorate the Christmas tree we can ponder all of those trees past present and future.
Third, it is in fact God who say he is to be represented in the pine tree and the fruitfulness it represents. He declares thru the Prophet Hosea in 14th chapter that He is like a PINE TREE:
8 O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a green pine tree;
your fruitfulness comes from me."
Who is discerning? He will understand them.
The ways of the LORD are right;
the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them
NIV
Those three reasons are not meant to put guilt on anyone who has an artificial tree, but to let you know why I believe as Martin Luther did in the Green Christmas Tree.
Oh Tannenbaum!
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