Faith

Kinara or Illumination Device?

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Last Updated on March 21, 2024

Should we refer to a Christmas tree as a Christmas tree or a Holiday tree? The question sounds so ridiculous that it should be the start of some kind of joke. Alas, it isn’t.

It’s one thing to take away references to Christmas when you wish people “Happy Holidays” rather than Merry Christmas. Not everyone celebrates Christmas.

But to try to turn a Christmas tree into a generic holiday symbol? Something’s wrong here. Does renaming a Christmas tree really fool anyone? Does it not matter that this “holiday tree” appeared during the Christmas season, and that it will disappear shortly after Christmas Day, and that it is adorned with Christmas decorations? Does calling it a “holiday tree” really take away from its meaning?

I can think of three holidays that would utilize a tree: Christmas, Arbor Day and Earth Day. Arbor Day is “officially” the last Friday in April, but it actually varies state to state depending on climate. Earth Day is celebrated in March, on the first day of Spring.

That would leave Christmas, which is celebrated in December. Oddly enough, that’s exactly when this “holiday tree” appears. Who would have thought?

But to those who want to remove Christmas from the tree’s name, here’s another question: do you call a Kinara a Kinara? What about a Menorah? What’s your new name for it?

A Kinara is the candelabra used to celebrate Kwanzaa. It consists of seven candles: the center candle is black, representing the African people; three candles are red, representing the blood of those who have fought slavery and racism; and the remaining three are green, representing hope for the future.

A Menorah (or more specifically, a Chanukkiah) is used to celebrate Hanukkah. It features nine candles, one for each of the eight days of the celebration and a center candle used to light the others, one per day. The candles represent the Maccabees’ victorious reclaiming of the temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. As the temple was being prepared for dedication, it was discovered that there was only enough oil to light a candle for a single day; miraculously, the candle stayed lit for eight days.

So are you going to start referring to these items generically, without regard for the people to whom they mean so much? I’m not.

How about Vesak? It’s the day in May that Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. One of the most common rituals involves lay devotees cleaning their temples and hanging lights and lanterns. Do you choose to refer to this as a celebration of Vesak or a “Spring Cleaning?”

I don’t have to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Vesak to have respect for those who do, or to refer to the celebrations and their associated symbols by their proper names. It doesn’t diminish or intrude upon my beliefs to do so.

It’s supposed to be okay to disagree on religion, since we have religious freedom. But all intolerance isn’t created equal.

the authorPatrick
Patrick is a Christian with more than 30 years experience in professional writing, producing and marketing. His professional background also includes social media, reporting for broadcast television and the web, directing, videography and photography. He enjoys getting to know people over coffee and spending time with his dog.

7 Comments

  • If you want to get really technical, the Christians are even borrowing the holiday and the tree. The holiday began as a celebration of the winter solstice and predates Christianity by a few millenia. The Christian church set their date for Christmas around the time of the winter solstice to divert people away from the Pagan celebration – they actually had no evidence that Christ was born on Dec. 25th, or thereabouts.

    From the following website: Religious Tolerance

    Not having evergreen trees, the ancient Egyptians considered the palm tree to symbolize resurrection. They decorated their homes with its branches during the winter solstice.

    “The first decorating of an evergreen tree began with the heathen Greeks and their worship of their god Adonia, who allegedly was brought back to life by the serpent Aessulapius after having been slain.”

    The ancient Pagan Romans decorated their “trees with bits of metal and replicas of their god, Bacchus [a fertility god]. They also placed 12 candles on the tree in honor of their sun god” Their mid-winter festival of Saturnalia started on DEC-17 and often lasted until a few days after the Solstice.

    In Northern Europe, the ancient Druids tied fruit and attached candles to evergreen tree branches, in honor of their god Woden. The trees joined holly, mistletoe, the wassail bowl and the Yule log as symbols of the season.

    Call it a Christmas tree, call it a Yule tree, call it a Hanukkah bush, call it whatever. It means what you want it to mean.

  • Actually, Patrick, the candelabra used to celebrate Chanukkah is called a chanukkiah…

    Thanks, Redsneakz.

    I stand corrected.

  • This is the best-written posting I’ve seen on this subject to date, Patrick. Tolerance for other opinions on the subject of religion does not require hiding or diluting one’s own private celebration. It’s only when it’s a state-sponsored religious display when things get dicey.

    For the record, my atheist husband calls it a Christmas tree. And some of the ornaments on it are his.

    Karen

  • there is just about nothing that someone could say or do that won’t bother someone… i just wonder why it’s such a big deal NOW? I don’t mind seeing a Kinara or a Menorah or anything else others celebrate, so i guess they will have to “put up” with my Christmas Tree and songs i sing around this particular holiday.

    http://herethereandeverywhere2ndedition.blogspot.com/

  • Of all the things that I could see offending someone, it never crossed my mind that a Christmas tree would be deemed offensive to anyone. Sigh. By the same token I saw nothing wrong with Bush sending out “Holiday” cards that didn’t use the word Christmas specifically. Political correctness can go too far on both sides of the holiday issue. Whatever happend to social politeness?

  • Actually, Patrick, the candelabra used to celebrate Chanukkah is called a chanukkiah (cha-NOO-kee-yah)(wheeoo, say THAT ten times fast). A menorah is a six-branched candleabra that was used in the Temple.

    Of course, we still call it a menorah, cuz it’s easier to remember, and that’s what zayde and bubbe called it anyways 🙂

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