Have a green Christmas
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
By Megan Sweas
Comments (3)
When I first imagined a 108-foot Christmas tree and 40 other smaller (just 50 feet maybe?) trees adorning St. Peter’s Square and the rest of the Vatican, I couldn't help but wondering if Pope Benedict wasn’t that green after all. How old must a 108-foot Christmas tree be? How many acres of Austrian forest were decimated for the pope?
But Benedict is one step ahead of me. This year, the largest tree will be recycled into children’s toys and furniture, reports Zenit News agency.
We all like to see, feel, and smell our faith and the symbols of it, especially at Christmastime. Luckily, we don’t have to have a tree so big you can create furniture out of it to have it all and still be green. Here are some ideas the reindeer would like:
Don’t kill a tree for the piney smell of Christmas. You can order a potted tree, one that is still living and growing, and keep it for a few years as a houseplant or replant it into the ground. Some websites include freshchristmastree.com, afreshchristmastree.com, and livingchristmastrees.org (visit their site to see the top 10 reasons why this is a good option).
That might be a better option for next year, but if you have a tree this year, follow the pope’s example and recycle your tree. Many local programs make trees into mulch and up to 93 percent of Americans recycle their trees, according to Earth911.com, which has a number of ideas for green holidays.Finally, the National Christmas Tree Association says to stop feeling so guilty about your tree. They point out that 40 to 45 million trees are planted each year. Real trees are not toxic (besides some pesticides, which the association says aren’t on the actual tree), recyclable, local, renewable, and carbon neutral. Fake tree, on the other hand, are made in China, have toxic chemical on them, aren’t recyclable or renewable, and their production releases more toxins and carbon.
So you can just say “Bah humbug!” to those who don't like your beautiful tree.
Other green ideas for the holidays: LED lights, recycled wrapping paper, alternative wrapping paper (fabric, old paper bags, newspaper, or magazines), less gifts, fair trade gifts, gifts made out of recycled products.
How do you keep the season green?
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120 year old Tree
By Jerry (not verified) on Friday, December 19, 2008Nice post Timothy.
The tree was 120 years old according to this article.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5343316.ece
My guess is that it would be a more efficient use of resources to turn the tree into mulch or firewood than transport it to a toy manufacturer. However, we do live in the world of public relations so perception is sometimes more important than reality.
Emphasis on man
By Timothy (not verified) on Wednesday, December 17, 2008"How do you keep the season green?
>By experiencing the assent that transcends existence, yet to which it is necessarily referred, as I appreciate beauty. Man has a God given right to use the goods of this earth for the good of man, whatever that objective good (considered in itself) for man might be. Conserving, for the future generations of man, is one thing. Ascribing human characteristics to the environment in which man lives is a form of pantheism called animatism that devalues our religion, sacrifices the good of man for a supposed good of nature, and does not take into consideration that we our conserving the goods of nature for man in the fisrt place and not for nature itself (not herself). I am not claiming that you ascribe to any of these characteristics of the environmental movement. In fact, your article was just a couple of seats left of center. Nevertheless, we need to put the emphasis back on man if we ever hope to truly conserve the goods of nature. If not, we are bound to ironically asphyxiate man for the sake of nature, which paradoxically cannot even ascertain the aesthetics that are employed to enjoy it.
Merry Christmas,
Timothy+
Higher purpose
By Megan Sweas on Monday, December 22, 2008Both of your posts, Timothy and Jerry, are reminders that all our efforts are directed toward a higher purpose--and hopefully it's not just public relations!
When I read these comments together, I noticed just how appropriate Pope Benedict's actions are, even if it'd be more efficient to grind the tree up into mulch like. By making toys and furniture for children out of it, Benedict is saying, "Yes we have to show our thanks for God's gifts by caring for creation, but more importantly, we must care for God's children as well."
I can't assign blame on whomever made environmentalism a politically divisive issue (I would think both sides are at fault). My hope is simply that living green becomes a personal, faith-filled response to God's Incarnation, especially during a time of year that has become so wasteful. I will continue my earnest suggestions, despite the eye rolls of my family!
Thanks for the insightful comments.
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