(OPINION) Actor David Spade criticized organizers of a Christmas tree lighting ceremony for deliberately avoiding the word “Christmas,” calling it an example of anti-Christian sentiment.
On the “Fly on the Wall” podcast with fellow “Saturday Night Live” alum Dana Carvey, released Monday, Spade said, “Christmas has taken a little bit of a beating recently. It is December, and I saw the other day that there was a tree lighting ceremony for the Christmas tree in some dopey mall… and they were careful not to say the word Christmas during the whole ceremony.”
Spade questioned the decision, noting, “I would understand if you said, ‘They’re doing “The Tree Lighting at The Grove’ or whatever. You go, ‘Okay.’”
He added, “But to consciously avoid that, then what is the tree for? A December to Remember? Is it a Lexus dealership? Why do we have — for the whole month? Isn’t it for Christmas?”
He clarified that The Grove in Los Angeles, a shopping and dining area, was not the culprit but served as an example. The Grove’s website promotes a “Christmas at The Grove” event featuring its “Christmas Tree” lighting later this month.
Carvey supported Spade, stating, “I’ve never met someone from another religious faith that was upset about a Christmas tree.”
The incident echoes backlash in Portland, Oregon, where the city and local media referred to its holiday tree as simply “The Tree.” Independent journalist David Medina posted on X, “The City of Portland and local media outlets are calling this ‘The Tree’ because they despise Christians like me and many of you so much they can’t bring themselves to say the word ‘Christmas.’”
Medina declared, “Friends, I’m reclaiming this tree and it is HEREBY the Portland CHRISTMAS Tree.”
Carvey expressed discomfort with the trend, saying, “I don’t like the thought police. I don’t like to have words I can’t use.”
Spade agreed, adding, “I don’t like the anti-Christian feel because Christmas to me wasn’t really about that, because I am Christian.” When Carvey called him “secular” and “lapsed,” Spade replied, “More spiritual.”
He then broadened the discussion to global issues, noting, “We’re taking a beating down in Africa. It’s like, this is not the year to be Christian. I will tell you that. That’s for sure.” Carvey concurred, “Yeah, there’s a lot of that going on.”
In October, President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” due to widespread killings of Christians. Journalist Megan Basham commented, “Good news!
President Trump officially makes Nigeria a nation of ‘particular concern’ due to the Muslim persecution of Christians. This will be a major first step to getting the rest of the world to acknowledge the genocide.”
The conversation may also reference the September assassination of Charlie Kirk, an outspoken Christian, on a Utah college campus.
Spade concluded firmly, “We can call it a Christmas tree.”
For contrast, President Trump invoked Jesus at the National Christmas Tree Lighting, stating, “During this holy season, Christians everywhere rejoice at the miracle in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago when the Son of God, our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be with us.” Anna Lulis posted, “Wow. Trump invokes Jesus at the National Christmas Tree Lighting. Jesus is King.”
End Time Headlines is a ministry founded, owned, and operated by Ricky Scaparo, established in 2010 to equip believers and inform discerning individuals about the “Signs and Seasons” of the times in which we live. Ricky authors original articles and curates news from mainstream sources, carefully selecting topics, verifying information, and utilizing artificial intelligence tools to ensure content is both timely and accurate. Every piece is personally reviewed and edited by Ricky to align with the ministry’s mission of providing a prophetic perspective on current events.
