The Christmas tree has seen an amount of controversy, mainly involving the secular and non-secular usage of the tree as well as groups who oppose usage of the tree on the grounds of interpretation of scripture and claimed pagan origins and/or pagan character of the custom.

There are also those who view it as a Christian symbol.

Christianity

Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. [4] They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

This is interpreted by some Christians as referring to a Christmas tree, and that therefore the Bible would explicitly forbid the practice. However, the more common interpretation is that the passage refers to idol worship, and it is the practice of making an object out of wood, silver, and gold, and then worshiping that idol which is pagan.

Catholic countries

In some Catholic countries, the tree is seen as a recent Protestant or American influence,though the tree is not a Protestant practice or even biblical. [citation needed] detracting from the Mediterranean traditions of the Christmas crib. However in many Catholic homes, both types of decoration coexist.

Judaism

Jewish parents in Christian societies may find that their children feel missing out during the Christmas holidays. This has led to the increasing importance of the Hannukah celebrations, initially a minor Jewish Festival, when children now receive gifts and toys instead of the gelt of Ashkenazi tradition.

Some mixed-religion families or those wanting to blend better with their Christian environment will dub their trees “Hannukah bushes”. Typically, these trees will incorporate a Jewish motif, with blue color schemes and ornaments featuring menorahs, dreidels and other typical symbols of Hannukah.

More Orthodox Jews frown upon this Christian influence.

Source: Wikipedia