THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE, "The Cypress, and Pine, and Cedar Together" is based on the Orthodox Catholic Church's interpretation of a Messianic prophecy of Christ and His Holy Cross found in Isaiah 60:13 LXX (LXX means the Septuagint Version). Although seldom referred to (see St. Matthew 13:52), the Church's interpretation of Isaiah 60:13 HAS ALWAYS BEEN CORRECT and can be clearly seen in the hymnography of the Orthodox Catholic Church.

But before we consider hymnography or even Holy Icons, we should understand that Isaiah 60:13 LXX can also be translated: "For the glory of Lebanon shall come to thee; with the cypress, and pine, and cedar together, TO BEAUTIFY THE PLACE OF MY SANCTUARY, and I will make the place of my feet glorious." That said, in many Orthodox Catholic Churches in mainland Greece, BEGINNING IN THE VERY 1ST CENTURY when the celebration of Holy Nativity (Christmas) was still being combined with the celebration of Holy Theophany (the Baptism of Christ), two trees were set in the middle of the Church, decorated with oranges (see "Sacred Trees and the Eastern Origin of the Christmas Tree" by Constantine Kalokyris, Professor of Byzantine Archaeology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece).

Moreover, this hymn acknowledges the Church's written interpretation of Isaiah 60:13 LXX and corroborates it by presenting similarities found in both Old and New Testament festal celebrations, where tree branches were and still are used as SYMBOLS OF VICTORY. In fact, one additional prayer that also reflects the symbol of victory interpretation--without even mentioning Isaiah 60:13 LXX--is the Dismissal Hymn of the Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ. This profound Dismissal Hymn, which is unfortunately not even included in "The Cypress, and Pine, and Cedar Together," obviously shows why the Church would and does celebrate Nativity BY DISPLAYING TREE BRANCHES when it proclaims: "...THE TREE OF LIFE hath blossomed forth in the cave from the holy Virgin..."

And let us also remember that about 1,000 years before Christ was crucified on the Cross made of cypress, and pine, and cedar, His physical ancestor King Solomon asked King Hiram of Phoenicia to give him the same three woods so that they could be used in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem: "And send me from Lebanon cedar wood, and wood of juniper (cypress), and pine; for I know that thy servants are skilled in cutting timber in Lebanon: and, behold, thy servants shall go with my servants, to prepare timber for me in abundance: for the house which I am building [must be] great and glorious."--2 Paraleipomenon 2:8-9 LXX (2 Chronicles 2:8-9)

Using all of these wonderful Orthodox sources, "The Cypress and Pine and Cedar Together" (aka "Christmas Tree: Symbol of Victory") explains how there really is a theological and prophetic connection between Christ's Cross and today's Christmas tree that does not add to or take away from the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints.

The Christmas tree is an example of Orthodox Christianity victoriously reclaiming God's creation by TRANSFORMING heathen culture--instead of conforming to it (see 12.2" class="scriptRef">Romans 12:2 [KJV]; Judges 6:25-26 LXX; 1 Maccabees 4:52-59; 2 Maccabees 10:5-8 LXX). The symbol of victory that the Christmas tree has become is NOT the result of mingling among the heathen and learning their works (see Psalm 105:34-35 LXX).
 
Lastly, not only does the theological truth presented in this hymn provide a blessing for Orthodox Christians (especially for those who are Christmas tree farmers and lumberjacks!), but it also provides historically accurate Christian answers that demolish historically inaccurate myths and propaganda.Therefore, "The Cypress and Pine and Cedar Together" may even help change the minds of some who are currently waging "The War Against Christmas."