Christmas Tree: The Biblical Meaning
- Eljoh Hartzer, MTh
- Nov 5
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 1
Part 2 of 4 in the “True Meaning of Christmas” Series
When I began writing my new Christmas Curriculum for Kids, I didn’t realize how deeply it would speak to me as an adult. The idea was simple: create a set of lessons that help children understand the true meaning behind our Christmas traditions— the tree, the lights, the gifts, and even Santa Claus.
But somewhere in the middle of writing the first lesson on Light, I found myself convicted. The more I painted, wrote, and prayed, the more I realized: this wasn’t just something kids needed to hear. I needed it too.
This post—the second in a four-part Go Deeper series—comes directly from that curriculum. It’s an invitation to pause and rediscover the beauty, symbolism, and sacred mystery of Christmas Trees… not just the physical kind that stands in your living room, but the Tree of life that came for us all in Jesus Christ.
From the First Garden: Christmas trees meaning something
Most of the time, when it comes to Christmas, we just read the nativity scene. But you cannot watch just one scene of a film and expect it to make sense, or read one chapter of a story without reading the whole.
God has been writing a story since Genesis - and Jesus' birth (Christmas) is an intricate part of that story.
In the very beginning, there was another tree. The tree in the Garden of Eden stood in the centre of everything (Genesis 2–3). God gave Adam and Eve a choice: to trust Him and receive everything as a gift, or to reach out and take what wasn’t theirs to take. They had friendship with God but they chose themselves instead...
When Eve reached for that fruit, her open hand—made to receive from God—became a closed fist. That single act of self-reliance, of grasping instead of trusting, changed the course of humanity.
Since that day, we’ve all struggled with the same tension. Do we live with open palms before God—trusting His goodness—or do we reach out to grasp what we think we deserve?
The tree in Eden reminds us how easily we choose control over surrender.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”— James 4:7
At Christmastime, we celebrate that this was not the end of the story.
Contemplate on the Genesis tree right now and write down a few lines (or type them in your phone Notes app). Then, meet me back here and we will journey even deeper to discover the true meaning of Christmas trees.
From the Tree in Eden to the Cross
But God’s story doesn’t end in that garden.
Thousands of years later, another tree appeared on a hill outside Jerusalem—a rugged wooden cross. This time, it wasn’t a symbol of rebellion, but of redemption. It was there that Jesus took the curse of the first tree upon Himself, stretching out His hands to restore what was lost in Eden.
“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree,that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”— 1 Peter 2:24
The Christmas tree, when we really stop to think about it, points forward to that same story of redemption. From the cradle to the cross, Jesus came to restore our relationship with the Father—to open our hands again.
The Everlasting Tree
The tree also points to eternal life.Unlike the fruit tree in the garden that brought death, the evergreen tree we decorate now is alive all year long. It stays green in every season—through cold, drought, and darkness.
And that’s what Jesus offers us: a life that doesn’t wither when circumstances change.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”— John 15:5
When we abide in Him, His life flows through us. That’s why your Christmas tree can be a sacred reminder—each branch declaring that true life is found in Christ alone.
The tree metaphors continue throughout Scripture, even up to Revelation. Therefore, the image of a tree has great significance.
The Scriptures of Trees
In the Kids’ Curriculum, I gave facilitators several passages for deeper reflection. Let’s linger on them here as adults—listening again with open hearts:
Isaiah 11:1–2 – “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him.” → This prophecy points directly to Jesus. Where the line of David looked cut down, God caused new life to spring up again.
Jeremiah 17:7–8 – “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.” → Faith takes root in trust. When we’re grounded in God’s Word, we flourish even in seasons of drought.
Psalm 1:2–3 – “They delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.” → God’s Word doesn’t just inform us — it forms us, growing fruit that lasts.
John 15:4–5 – “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me.” → Jesus isn’t just a source of strength; He’s our very life. Apart from Him, there is no fruit.
1 Peter 2:24 – “He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” → The “tree” of Calvary became the place of our healing — turning a symbol of death into one of eternal life.
Revelation 22:2 – “On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.” → The story that began with a forbidden tree ends with a healing one. This is the full circle of redemption.
Why This Matters
When I first wrote this lesson for children, I wanted them to understand that the Christmas trees they see around them aren’t just decorations. They’re reminders. Reminders that Jesus is the good Tree, and that His presence is life.
As adults, that truth can hit even deeper. Because we know what depression feels like. We’ve walked through winter - grief, burnout, heartbreak, loneliness. And yet, even there—in the middle of it—Christ’s promise of abundant life still finds us.
He’s not intimidated by the dead places in our lives. He steps into them and transforms them into life (graves into gardens; bones in armies as Ezekiel 37 reminds us).
In the curriculum, I had the kids respond by picking leaves from a living tree and cutting leaf-shapes from paper. We take it back to Genesis and see how darkness came about when Adam & Eve reached out to pick that forbidden fruit (like the red christmas ornament, from the Christmas tree). There was something between people and God - they could no longer SEE His Goodness! Something inside them died, shriveled up, and became bare...
Jesus didn't just come randomly. We know that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth, but WHY did He come? In the curriculum, I illustrate how God has been making a perfect plan and a promise to His people since the very beginning. He would make a way. He would make it right.
Christmas trees signify the greatest tree of all: Jesus Christ. Yes, it sounds weird to say "Jesus is the good tree" but it means that He came to redeem us, save us, and bring LIFE! While the first lesson focused on light; this one focuses on light.
A Personal Reflection
As I wrote this lesson for kids, I was surprised by how personal it became.In every branch and every light, I saw a glimpse of how God has worked through my own seasons—planting, pruning, and sometimes allowing winter to do its work before new growth comes.
Maybe you’re in a season like that too. Maybe your “tree” looks barren, or you can’t see much fruit yet. Take heart. Even when we can’t feel it, roots are growing deeper in the dark.
It's funny to me that - after lights - Christmas trees are the next thing we put up. We see them from November - the light comes first, the tree comes second. And, like Saccheus who eagerly climbed that tree to witness Jesus from afar, we also eagerly put up a tall tree to catch a glimpse of His majesty.
He's coming! It's almost time!
ELEMENTS DECORATING THE TREE
STEP-BY-STEP
Tree: Talk about the first tree in Eden and how God promised to send a better tree.
Tinsel: Talk about the snake in Eden or the golden thread running through Scripture.
Ornaments: Talk about the forbidden fruit or the Fruit of the Spirit.
Star on top: Talk about the Bethlehem star or the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Sharing the Light
If this reflection stirred something in you, can I gently encourage you to share the Truth about the Tree in your own circles?
Perhaps you can facilitate a conversation and share this post with someone when you put up a Christmas tree at work or at church. Or perhaps you can invite a friend to join your family this Christmas, so that they, too, can experience this celebration of new life.
🌲 For parents: Gather your family and read through this lesson together. The Christmas Curriculum helps you teach deep truth through simple symbols your kids already know. Explore the full resource →
🌲 For teachers and ministry leaders: The curriculum includes hand-drawn colouring pages and watercolor visuals that make theology simple and beautiful. Perfect for Sunday school or holiday outreach. Download it here →
🌲 For the fun aunt or uncle: Bring something meaningful to Christmas this year—print the colouring page, share the story, and remind the kids you love that Jesus is the true life-giver.
🌲 For you: Let the tree in your home be more than a symbol of celebration. Let it point you back to the God who restores what was broken.
A Prayer
Father, thank You for the story You tell through trees—
from the garden to the cross, and even through the one standing in our homes today.
Teach me to live with open hands, trusting You to provide every good thing.
Help me bear fruit that reflects Your Spirit.
And may my life—rooted in Your love—point others to Your Son, the true Vine.
Amen.
May you continue to abide in the Vine, becoming more and more like Him, until your life bears fruit witnessing of His presence. 🌿
Let's chat in the comments: What other Scriptures of trees or plants came to mind as you read this? Is there anything else you'd add?
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