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A Paradise Tree for Christmas

© Virginia Marin

Last week I told you about a lovely and not too well known type of Christmas tree - the Jesse tree. This week I would like to share with you another even less well known Christmas tree. It is known as the Paradise tree.

A Paradise tree refers to exactly what the name implies - to Paradise, the Garden of Eden, or Gan Eden. This tree reminds us of the tree in Eden by which Adam and Eve were tempted and sinned. But more importantly, a Paradise tree reminds us of the tree on which the Lamb of God, our Savior, Messiah Jesus, was crucified. That tree on which He shed His precious blood for you and for me.

But is it correct to refer to the cross as a tree? Sure, and Paul speaks to this in Galatians 3:13: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on the tree" (Paul quoting from Deuteronomy 21:23). And again, Acts 5:30 speaks of the cross as a tree. A Paradise tree, then is a stark reminder of the price of our salvation.

The Paradise tree apparently appeared in the Middle Ages. It was associated with the Paradise Plays which were perfomed in English and Spanish churches and Medieval villages during Advent. The plays told the story of humankind from the creation of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden up to the birth of Messiah in Bethlehem. During the play, a large tree, its branches laden with red apples was brought onto the stage. In addition to the apples, small white discs, representing communion waffers also hung from the branches. The apples and representative communion waffers were a forceful reminder of the existence of good vs evil. Life vs death. Messiah vs satan. Heaven vs hell.

As time passed, candles representing Messiah Jesus as the Light of the World, were added to the tree. Today, a Paradise tree remains as simple and lovely as in the Middle ages.

To decorate a Paradise tree for your home, use either a live or artificial green tree. Hang artificial red apples and white representative communion waffers from the branches. Use all white miniature lights. In keeping with the Paradise Play timeline of Adam and Eve to Bethlehem, display a Navitity set on a bed of white under the tree. By incorporating prayer and Bible readings into the tree decorating,

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