Before Bibles were common, to explain abstract concepts to illiterate people, teachers and priests made their Bible lessons visual, associating them with food.
Paradise Trees were placed in homes as part of the December24th celebration of the Feast of Adam and Eve. Apples or brightly colored balls were hung on the branches to represent the forbidden fruit. Holly with its red berries remembers the crown of thorns. The serpent was represented by a patterned ribbon looped over the branches.
Do these decorations sound familiar? They should. Christmas trees are often decorated with balls and garland.
There was a tradition of decorating a wooden triangle (representing the Trinity) with Christian symbols, such as candles (representing Jesus, the Light of the world), stars (the Bethlehem star), and evergreen trees (representing everlasting life). Later, candy canes (representing the shepherds) were added.
Gradually, the Paradise Tree—which tells of the fall of man—became the Christmas tree—which tells of the grace of God.
This Christmas as you decorate your tree, talk about the symbols of our faith in Christ, the One who hung on the tree as our Gift of eternal life.