Do you have a Christmas tree for Christmas?

[Victrixa]

I have a small Christmas tree.

Well, the Christmas tree may have pagan origins but way back in Old Testament times (sobresaliente's verses from Jeremiah) the tree was really used in pagan and idolatrous practices. 'Do not follow the ways of the heathen' is those practices (IMHO).

Yes, many pagan practices have been Christianized to turn the pagan peoples' from their pagan practices to Christ. The apostle Paul said (in my own words, too lazy to look it up!) that 'I make myself everything to everyone so that I may win some...' (something like that!). I think God's way of working with people (to win their hearts) is to use what they have or their customs. We can start from where people are at in their lives to lead them to Christ.

We talk about the Christmas tree having Pagan origins, but on the other hand, I once read (don't ask me where, lol, it's been over 10 years but I have a memory, lol! The article was on the origins of the Christmas tree.) that Martin Luther (yes, the Reformer!) happened to be outside, one winter night before Christmas. He was looking at the bright sparkling stars, in the clear winter sky, which were shining beautifully on the evergreen trees. He loved what he was seeing so much that he wanted to bring what he was seeing inside his home. He cut an evergreen tree, brought it in his home, then put some candles on it. The (candle) lights on the tree reminded him of the light of Christ.

Just my humble 0.02$ for what they're worth and I wanted to share.

 

[Diakoneo]

Jeremiah 10:2-5 is spoken directly to God's people(Isreal) not to 'do what the heathen do', it does not say they would do it for the same reasons(idolatry)- IF it really is pagan in origin why would we seek to 'christianize' it?

Well, I think, if we're going to quote scripture we might as well understand what we're talking about no?

So let's look at Jeremiah 10:2-5 then, which by the way is not talking about Christmas trees. Yes I know "decking" as in "deck the halls" right? Well, yeah to us but not necessarily to them...

So the verses:

Jeremiah 10:2-5

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.
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.

v2. Don't be like heathens. Who are troubled by what they divine out of the heavens. This verse talks about not being tangled in the divination of the stars etc. which was a form of heathen religion (still is actually). A pretty clear instruction on not being worried about what their false religion is saying about the times, present or future.

v3. The custom of the heathen is to cut a tree out of the forest. Now this is where folks get confused. This isn't to drag the tree into the house LOL, this is to shape an idol notice how the verse continues... "the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. " This as compared to the LORD Who always was and always will be. There are many, many references to idols as being useless as proven in that they are "created by man's hand" and thus not real. There is definately not a reference here to dragging a tree into your house.

v4. Now here is the stickler right, with the "decking". I'll cut this into segments so we can follow the verse.

a) They deck it with silver and gold;

This is a reference to fashioning metal over top of idols. This isn't about hanging ornaments. This is a continuation of the reference to idols made with men's hands. Let's cross-reference this so you can see..

Psalm 115:4 - "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands"
Psalm 135:15 - "The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands"

Think of this my friends. The people of Israel were poor. Do you think that they actually had gold and silver idols (purely) in their homes? Hardly. Let's look to Isaiah for more information related to this custom..

Isaiah 40:19-20 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. 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.

Can you see the above reference to this custom as related to Jeremiah's verses? He isn't dragging a tree in his house and hanging balls on it, he's making an idol, then decking it with silver and gold. Let's continue in this verse and learn the rest of the custom.. as shown in Isaiah..

b) They fasten it with nails and with hammers,

Do you think that they were hanging nails and hammers on it? Uh.. nope. This is talking about the means of keeping it upright so that it would stand and not fall. Notice the end of the verse in Isaiah "that is shall not be moved" and notice the last part of this verse:

c) that it move not.



So you see my friends. This isn't about Christmas trees at all. It's about idols. However, still, the principal remains.. If you are worshipping your Christmas tree... get rid of it... (Then IMO - get your head examined..)

 

[Victrixa]

Excellent post Diakoneo!!!