Christmas tree - Good or bad

Kav · Oct 13, 2020

So back in 2010/2011 I was seeking God about whether it was okay to have a Christmas tree put up or not. I would see Christmas trees put up in the church that I was attending at the time, so I figured it was okay and didn’t think anything of it, until one day someone said something about it maybe offending people, and that’s what made me wonder.

I was praying one night asking God about it, and as I was ending my prayer, I heard a voice that said, “Idolatry”. (I’ve never told anybody but my husband, mom, and a friend b/c ppl would probably think I’m nuts or not believe that God spoke to me).
I have read in the bible about how they would cut down trees and carve out images/idols and adorn them w/ gold and things to worship. So I have not been putting a Christmas Tree up since God spoke to me that night.

I have now been seeking him about the same thing b/c I have heard/read from different pastors and Christians that it is not wrong to have a Christmas Tree.
So I wanted to know what everyone here thinks about it. (Sorry this was a long one)

Brightmoon · Oct 13, 2020

Just a pleasant memory for me having to put up and decorate that artificial aluminum tree. Even the cat I had as a child liked looking at the tree. . I don’t worry about superficial stuff like this because I think it’s ignorant and superstitious

.Mikha'el. · Oct 13, 2020

Unto itself completely extraneous.

tampasteve · Oct 13, 2020

Are you worshiping the tree? If you are not then it is not an idol. They are merely a cultural article of a holiday. They don't carry any real religious significance any longer, except for maybe the star or angel on top. If you are not comfortable having one based on their original pagan significance then that is fine, but they are not idols and we don't worship them.

But if you are throwing out things based on an original pagan origin then there are many aspects of the faith that have been influenced or developed from pagans that will need to be addressed. Those things had their meaning changed and adapted to a Christian motif, which helped convert pagans to Christianity. They don't hold their original pagan meanings or influences any longer.

Der Alte · Oct 13, 2020

Kav said:
So back in 2010/2011 I was seeking God about whether it was okay to have a Christmas tree put up or not. I would see Christmas trees put up in the church that I was attending at the time, so I figured it was okay and didn’t think anything of it, until one day someone said something about it maybe offending people, and that’s what made me wonder.
I was praying one night asking God about it, and as I was ending my prayer, I heard a voice that said, “Idolatry”. (I’ve never told anybody but my husband, mom, and a friend b/c ppl would probably think I’m nuts or not believe that God spoke to me).
I have read in the bible about how they would cut down trees and carve out images/idols and adorn them w/ gold and things to worship. So I have not been putting a Christmas Tree up since God spoke to me that night.
I have now been seeking him about the same thing b/c I have heard/read from different pastors and Christians that it is not wrong to have a Christmas Tree.
So I wanted to know what everyone here thinks about it. (Sorry this was a long one)

Or maybe you just "heard" what you wanted to hear?
Please look up the Biblical definition of an idol? Exodus 20:3-5 and/or Deuteronomy 5:8-9
Have you actually read the passages you referred to about carved idols?

Jeremiah 10:3-9
3 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.

5 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.
...
8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Isaiah 40:19-20
19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

Is a Christmas tree carved out in the image of something in the heaven or earth? Pagan idols are.
Is a Christmas tree covered with sheets of gold/silver? Pagan idols are.
Are Christmas trees expected to move? Pagan idols are.
Is a Christmas tree expected to speak? Pagan idols are.
Do Christmas trees wear robes of blue and purple, royal colors? Pagan idols do.
Does a Christmas tree fit that definition?
Have you ever seen or heard of any person bowing down and worshipping a decorated tree, anywhere, any time, any era? A Christmas tree is no more an idol than a bouquet of flowers.
If you don't want to have a Christmas tree don't do it but one should not condemn others for putting up a pretty decoration no more offensive than a bouquet of flowers.

Lukaris · Oct 13, 2020

There are Biblical associations that could be made ( I think) with the Christmas tree like the parable of the trees ( Judges 9:7-21). When the Maccabees cleansed the temple on the 25th day of the month & had celebrations with tree branches & psalm singing. This was the inception of Chanukah & seemed like a proto Christmas ( 2nd Maccabees 10:1-9 2 Maccabees 10 - KJVA Bible - Bible Study Tools

Cis.jd · Oct 13, 2020

Kav said:
So back in 2010/2011 I was seeking God about whether it was okay to have a Christmas tree put up or not. I would see Christmas trees put up in the church that I was attending at the time, so I figured it was okay and didn’t think anything of it, until one day someone said something about it maybe offending people, and that’s what made me wonder.

I was praying one night asking God about it, and as I was ending my prayer, I heard a voice that said, “Idolatry”. (I’ve never told anybody but my husband, mom, and a friend b/c ppl would probably think I’m nuts or not believe that God spoke to me).
I have read in the bible about how they would cut down trees and carve out images/idols and adorn them w/ gold and things to worship. So I have not been putting a Christmas Tree up since God spoke to me that night.

I have now been seeking him about the same thing b/c I have heard/read from different pastors and Christians that it is not wrong to have a Christmas Tree.
So I wanted to know what everyone here thinks about it. (Sorry this was a long one)

Good or bad depends on context. It's absolutely harmless to have a christmas tree and if you believe your faith or commitment to God is effected by it then you are making it look like Faith in God is that weak.

You did not hear any "voice".

bèlla · Oct 13, 2020

I have my grandmother's tree. It's a relic of the past that holds fond memories of my grandparents and joyful moments spent with them. We attended midnight mass together and she always made gumbo on my behalf. That's why I have it. To have a piece of them in the family that's handed down.

I have no spiritual attachment to Christmas. I value the love and fellowship I've experienced. But that isn't solely related to the holidays. They provided the same throughout the year. That's more important in my mind.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

Anthony2019 · Oct 13, 2020

Oh I definitely have to have my Christmas tree at Christmas!
These days I go for a ready-assembled one to make it easier to put up and take down.
One year I was so lazy in taking in down, it stayed up until Easter!

Bible Highlighter · Oct 13, 2020

Kav said:
So back in 2010/2011 I was seeking God about whether it was okay to have a Christmas tree put up or not. I would see Christmas trees put up in the church that I was attending at the time, so I figured it was okay and didn’t think anything of it, until one day someone said something about it maybe offending people, and that’s what made me wonder.

I was praying one night asking God about it, and as I was ending my prayer, I heard a voice that said, “Idolatry”. (I’ve never told anybody but my husband, mom, and a friend b/c ppl would probably think I’m nuts or not believe that God spoke to me).
I have read in the bible about how they would cut down trees and carve out images/idols and adorn them w/ gold and things to worship. So I have not been putting a Christmas Tree up since God spoke to me that night.

I have now been seeking him about the same thing b/c I have heard/read from different pastors and Christians that it is not wrong to have a Christmas Tree.
So I wanted to know what everyone here thinks about it. (Sorry this was a long one)

Many Christians today love worldly holidays. But we are told not to imitate the way of the heathen or men's traditions.

Check out this thread I created here on Christmas to learn more.

Why I Think Christmas is Not Biblical (Please read OP before posting).

May God's love shine upon you.

Sincerely,

~ BH.

Kenny'sID · Oct 13, 2020

It's great to want to please God in everything we do so it's understandable that people get a bit overzealous at times, and I think that is happening to you.

However, and although it would not bother me a bit to have a tree, as the good book states, if it's sin to you, it is sin.

I would sincerely consider the views here, but in the end, decide for yourself.

dms1972 · Oct 13, 2020

Anthony2019 said:
Oh I definitely have to have my Christmas tree at Christmas!
These days I go for a ready-assembled one to make it easier to put up and take down.
One year I was so lazy in taking in down, it stayed up until Easter!

I still have a few lights stuck to the bookcase from last christmas (I don't put them on), I did take the tree down though. I should maybe take the lights down, before this christmas. I have found myself lacking motivation to put up decorations or tree in my own place since I moved out from home, its often a day or two before christmas that I put the tree up, mainly because I don't want to be saying to others if they ask that I never bothered putting one up.

Brightmoon · Oct 13, 2020

Anthony2019 said:
Oh I definitely have to have my Christmas tree at Christmas!
These days I go for a ready-assembled one to make it easier to put up and take down.
One year I was so lazy in taking in down, it stayed up until Easter!

I thought I was bad ! We usually kept the tree up until Groundhog Day ,February 2 because I needed some pleasant color to look at. I hate NYC winters , grey , cold and dirty snow . ( of course that was before global warming took the snow away)

Junia · Oct 13, 2020

Kav said:
So back in 2010/2011 I was seeking God about whether it was okay to have a Christmas tree put up or not. I would see Christmas trees put up in the church that I was attending at the time, so I figured it was okay and didn’t think anything of it, until one day someone said something about it maybe offending people, and that’s what made me wonder.

I was praying one night asking God about it, and as I was ending my prayer, I heard a voice that said, “Idolatry”. (I’ve never told anybody but my husband, mom, and a friend b/c ppl would probably think I’m nuts or not believe that God spoke to me).
I have read in the bible about how they would cut down trees and carve out images/idols and adorn them w/ gold and things to worship. So I have not been putting a Christmas Tree up since God spoke to me that night.

I have now been seeking him about the same thing b/c I have heard/read from different pastors and Christians that it is not wrong to have a Christmas Tree.
So I wanted to know what everyone here thinks about it. (Sorry this was a long one)

I

Same here. I got rid of my tree. I do keep Christmas but I keep the pagan bits down to as minimum as I can get away with. Turkey or goose etc and a few carols here and there

Junia · Oct 13, 2020

I would have lights up, not in honour of Christmas but all winter to help with the dark nights but the electric ity bills would be too high and am on a meter. Just because I get depressed in dark rooms and I love pretty glittery things

GOD Shines Forth! · Oct 13, 2020

I was thinking about getting one of these fake birch trees for a Christmas tree. I like the lights and the mood of having a tree while it’s cold and wintery. Not asking anyone’s permission, and you don’t need to either!

Junia · Oct 13, 2020

GOD Shines Forth! said:
View attachment 286272
I was thinking about getting one of these fake birch trees for a Christmas tree. I like the lights and the mood of having a tree while it’s cold and wintery. Not asking anyone’s permission, and you don’t need to either!

I

You.could do it all winter just.to celebrate winter rather than christmas. Just like some people.decorate their homes for autumn/harvest

Junia · Oct 13, 2020

I love midsummer. I don't go to Stonehenge and do all the pagan bits but I love to mark the solstice day in my diary.so I can sit in my garden until midnight rejoicing in the fact that until August it never gets really proper dark in the UK summertime

Junia · Oct 13, 2020

Der Alte said:
Or maybe you just "heard" what you wanted to hear?
Please look up the Biblical definition of an idol? Exodus 20:3-5 and/or Deuteronomy 5:8-9
Have you actually read the passages you referred to about carved idols?

Jeremiah 10:3-9
3 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.

5 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.
...
8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Isaiah 40:19-20
19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.
Is a Christmas tree carved out in the image of something in the heaven or earth? Pagan idols are.
Is a Christmas tree covered with sheets of gold/silver? Pagan idols are.
Are Christmas trees expected to move? Pagan idols are.
Is a Christmas tree expected to speak? Pagan idols are.
Do Christmas trees wear robes of blue and purple, royal colors? Pagan idols do.
Does a Christmas tree fit that definition?
Have you ever seen or heard of any person bowing down and worshipping a decorated tree, anywhere, any time, any era? A Christmas tree is no more an idol than a bouquet of flowers.
If you don't want to have a Christmas tree don't do it but one should not condemn others for putting up a pretty decoration no more offensive than a bouquet of flowers.

I

Yes I do think it is Matter of conscience . Not every believer will feel convicted the same

Albion · Oct 13, 2020

Kav, it's a uniquely Christian symbol that dates back over a thousand years, is very religious in nature, and not at all like trees formerly used in various pagan religions. Absolutely, it's all right to use it.

Christmas tree - Good or bad

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