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Upside Down Christmas Trees

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by ForYourGlory, Dec 3, 2008.

  1. ForYourGlory

    ForYourGlory Member

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    The ladies in my family always get together and go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, it's more of a get together than shopping, all I bought was cheese and nuts if that tells you anything. Anyway, we went to a Christmas shop and there were many upside down Christmas trees. It really gave me an unsettling feeling. I know its just a decoration, but is there really more to it.

    Does anyone know the history of this or why it came to being. I was wondering if it was sacrilegious, kind of like the broken or upside down cross.

    I'm not wanting to debate this, I just really want to know what your take is on this.
     
  2. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    I don't know if an upside-down Christmas tree carries the same connotation(s) as, say, the upside-down cross (i.e., the so-called "peace symbol"). Or possibly the ones promoting the upside-down tree are trying to connect that kind of tree with the symbol of an upside-down flag (a symbol for a "distress' [i.e., send help ASAP]).

    But why don't we go deeper than that and ask ourselves why we need to cut down pine or fir trees to celebrate Christ's coming to earth in the first place? I don't recall anywhere in the Bible where any of the apostles were described as doing this in order to celebrate the coming of Christ to this earth. In fact, no where to I even read in the Bible that celebrating the coming of Christ to earth was something that was ever even done by people of the NT era.

    In fact, the whole idea of so-called "Christmas decorations" as we know it today seems to me to be more of a scheme to separate supposedly well-meaning people from their time, efforts, and (especially!) their money!

    Why is there some compelling need for Christians to spend money for decorations that are only in place for a month or so anyway, and are prone to break, get misplaced, or (if nothing else) take up storage splace in our homes?

    And, in the particular case of "real trees" not only soon dry out, but are also a leading contributor of increased injuries as well as the increased number of home fires due to faulty wiring of decorations that are placed on them?

    Why do Christians feel it's necessary to waste their money on things that, as Jesus Himself [The One we're suposedly honoring here.] commands use to not spend money ("Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth..." that have a tendency to "...corrupt" [viz., trees]).

    Why not spend the money you spend for vain decorations---which seldom draw people closer the Christ, and quite often become a source of pride ("Aren't those decorations beautiful!!" ratrher than, "Isn't Christ [The One we're supposedly honoring by them.] beautiful!") on things that do not corrupt such as a missionary who may be needing money for his/her child's medical bills or more Bibles in the tongue of the people to whom Jesus [The One we claim to be honoring by these decorations.] sent that missionary?

    And it doesn't just have to be a missionary that you could send what money you do on vain decorations for "the Christmas season."

    Right off hand, I really can't recall any truly "faith-based" entity that has the problem with what to do with all of their excess money, especially in this time of economic crises [Brought on in large degree not only by greedy financial instituions and home loan providers who've succeeded in luring even Christians to agree to buying a home that they knew they couldn't afford in the first place.]

    It could be any legitimate agency that has as its primarily mission to help those in need in the name of Jesus Christ (a rescue mission, a shelter for the homeless and/or abused, a food bank, etc., etc.)

    Now, I'm not going to tell you that so-called "Christmas decorations" are of the devil nor, do I believe Jeremiah 10:1-5 is talking about Christmas trees. To decorate or not to decorate is something each Christian (or family) needs to settle between themselves and the One we are to honor year-round.

    As for "me and my house," we don't see any compelling need for any special decorations at this time of year.
     
  3. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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  4. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I should think an upside-down tree would have Father Christmas somewhat tipsy and then where would the presents be?

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  5. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    don't you really mean lets go off topic. The op is asking if we know anything about upside christmas trees. all you've posted about are the evils of the christmas tree, and lent nothing toward answering the op question, about upside christmas trees, and why they're turned upside down.
     
  6. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    from the USA Today article posted above,
    I think this is reading a little too much into how a tree is displayed.
     
  7. PJ

    PJ Active Member
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    I've seen an upside down Christmas tree but it's not at all attractive.
    And as Jim stated, where would you put the presents? :smilewinkgrin:
     
  8. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    I think the purpose of it was simply to present a new option for people.

    Everyone with something to sell tries to be innovative and offer new ideas. There was never, to my knowledge, any hidden purpose behind it other than to try something different and see if it would sell.

    I do think they're interesting looking! Done right, they might even look nice!

    PS: Are weeping willows more Christian if you turn them upside down? :p
     
  9. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    The chief problem with upside-down Christmas trees is the problem Father Christmas will have keepng the gifts he delivers on the ceiling!

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  10. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    Is this some weirdo American concept......here down under the tree is the rightway up, milk and biscuits are left out for the auld man or sometimes something stronger......what next:tongue3:
     
  11. 4His_glory

    4His_glory New Member

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    Christmas trees were originally hung upside down from the ceiling in the 12th century. The new trend is a return to the original roots :laugh: . The purpose of this to be a sort of symbol of the trinity.

    I would say then, that there is nothing wrong with an upside down tree if that is your preference.
     
    #11 4His_glory, Dec 5, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 5, 2008
  12. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Thanks for sharing that...interesting. I guess all of us with trees rightside up are the pagans :D
     
  13. EdSutton

    EdSutton New Member

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    From reading the article, it seems that with a price tag of between $3 and $6 bills, these companies have merely found a new way to turn a few more legitimate bucks, at the public's hands, wherewith I certainly have no particular problem with, by any stretch.

    It's merely a decoration, for cryin' out loud.

    Ed
     
  14. EdSutton

    EdSutton New Member

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    Maybe he is already a bit tipsy, and that is why the tree wound up upside down, to begin with.

    [​IMG]

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    [​IMG]

    Ed
     
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