A Christmas tree has aesthetic value, and the decorated tree brings cheer in a time of year where darkness, cold, and late fall, early winter gloom affects many

A Christmas tree has aesthetic value, and the decorated tree brings cheer in a time of year where darkness, cold, and late fall, early winter gloom affects many people. This tradition has so many redeeming factors, that it is embraced by religious and non-religious people alike. Following a set of arbitrary rules can create tradition and community, and if these are harmless this is fine, but this example of finding workarounds for your own religion comes across as keeping up appearances for others who subscribe to it; not actual religious adherence. I mean, most gods I've read about don't look to kindly on interpreting their principles to the letter (“Look! I'm not touching the switch, but if I say ‘Alexa, I feel gloomy’ the light comes just happens to come on!”) rather than to the spirit.