In the air

Christmas time is (almost) here

I thought i'd try to find something more seasonally appropriate in terms of colour, and so I came up with green - reminiscent of our lovely Spadina house Christmas Trees (come by and see it!).
speaking of Christmas trees - today on the CBC they were talking about the controversy that often arises as the season becomes less religious - and more PC (that's "politacally correct" - for those of you who think PC means a certain political party...)
and how some bend over backwards to the point where it becomes exclusive and offensive to Christians. And then they also spoke about a recent thing where the City of Boston recieved a Christmas tree, which they then renamed Holiday tree -
Bostonian were then threatened by the gifters with a lawsuit for the name change - they said the tree had been used in an unintended way....
but wait
I don't remember hearing mention of a Christmas tree in the Bible... if I'm not mistaken Mary and Joseph lived miles away from any such trees - their concern was baby- centred, not encircling a evergreen plant. here's an interesting note on Christmas trees that I found at http://www.holidays.net/christmas/tree.htm

The tradition of a holiday tree has been around since ancient times and has played an important part in winter celebrations for many centuries. Many pagan festivals used trees when honoring their gods and spirits. In Northern Europe the Vikings considered the evergreen a symbol and reminder that the darkness and cold of winter would end and the green of spring would return. The Druids of ancient England and France decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honor their gods of harvests. At the festival Saturnalia the Romans decorated trees with trinkets and candles.

There have also been many legends surrounding the lore of the Christmas tree. In one story Saint Boniface, an English monk, came upon a group of pagans who had gathered around an oak tree and were preparing to sacrifice a child. To stop the sacrifice and save the child, the Saint flattened the oak tree with one blow of his fist. A small fir sprang up in its place, which Saint Boniface told the pagans was the Tree of Life and represented the life of Christ.

Another legend tells of Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant religion, walking through the woods late one night. As it was clear, many stars were shining through the branches of the trees giving the impression of twinkling lights. Luther was so inspired by the beauty of the sight that he cut down a small evergreen and brought it home. He recreated the stars by putting candles on the tree's branches.

But really, these are just legends - there is not even actual tradition explaining what the deal is with the tree. So what I'm saying is - I don't get why people get so offended about calling a Christmas tree a "holiday tree" when really, that's what it is - and it has little, if anything, to do with Christmas at all.
I'm not saying that I don't think it a wonderful way to bring beauty into your home, a great seasonal tradition to start and continue, I'm not saying that I don't enjoy Christmas trees and what they've come to mean to me. but I am saying we should think twice when we make silly arguments on the radio.