For Christians who are celebrating Christmas with the use of a decorated tree, how do you reconcile that practice with Jeremiah 10:1-4?
Jeremiah 10 (KJV)
1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 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.
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.
2006-10-19 03:06:23 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm entertained by the wide variety of conflicting answers coming from Christian respondees. Everything from "That is only one of the many reasons why true Christians do not celebrate Christmas" to "God was speaking to Israel, not to the church" to "I don't know what sort of tree you have in mind, but God did'nt mean the Christmas tree,probably some pagan stuff is what you mean" to "I'm pretty sure God doesn't mind celebrating the physical birth of His own Son" (which didn't happen in mid-December anyway).
For those who are under the misconception that I'm Christian - I'm not. I'm Pagan, and was just wondering how Christians rationalized co-opting the pagan tradition into their own religion, when their own Holy Book is pretty explicit about not doing so.
2006-10-19 03:29:56 · update #1
That is only one of the many reasons why true Christians do not celebrate Christmas.Too many heathen / pagan traditions connected with it. God and his Son are not pleased with any celebrations that are tainted with paganism. " Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils."--1 Corinthians 10:21
2006-10-19 03:16:07 · answer #1 · answered by Micah 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Excellent question, backed up with a very pertinent scripture!
Because of the pagan background I believe the "Christmas tree" may have, I am loathe to defend its use to those who find it offensive. If you find it offensive, by all means, do not go against your conscience and have one. However, IF you can have one without it becoming an idol (or representing anything else that you put before God and serving Him), then according to the next verse of the passage you cited, I believe it does no harm:
JER 10:5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good."
The key, I believe, is whether or not it is an idol in your home. If it is more important to you in any way than God or serving Him, then get rid of it! Personally, our family still has a Christmas tree. However, the ornaments we place on it are either (1) Christ-oriented or (2) family oriented. For example, one of the ornaments is a nail (spike) the approximately size and shape of that which would have been used on Jesus as he was hung on the cross. Many are ornaments which say "Praise the Lord," "I believe," etc. Others are simply family ornaments such as one with our wedding picture, "baby's first Christmas," etc.
Having said that, I personally cannot condone the observance of Santa Claus or the "Easter" bunny or anything associated with Halloween. I am well aware of the pagan origins of these practices and it goes against my conscience to do so. Therefore, if the practice of having a Christmas tree likewise is offensive to someone, I fully understand their not having one.
2006-10-19 03:27:55 · answer #2 · answered by SteadfastOne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep that passage in it's context - God was speaking to Israel, not to the church. It was VERY important that Israel did it's best to not incoproate other aspects of foreign cultures so that they did not lose their national identity. Notice that God says the practice is "vain." That word means "empty," but not necessarily sinful.
And, if you are so sold on this passage, why do you celebrate Christmas at all? Jesus was not born on Dec 25th. In fact, that was a pagan holiday that we took over because too many people were still celebrating the pagan festival after converting. So Us Christians made it into a religious holiday so people could have what they wanted.
2006-10-19 03:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by dansweaza 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a tough question. I don't have all the answers, I'm still searching. I would like to say "Oh, that was thousands of years ago. The early Christians were just trying to bring pagans to the church.". but that answer doesn't feel right. I don't know. I'm still going to give my daughter presents this year, we'll use the Advent wreath and Calendar, and when she's older, hopefully we'll talk about Christmas trees and Santa Claus and what we should believe. I honestly don't know. I understand the concern, but that is the Old Testament, and Christ brought forth a new law, was it not meant for us? Was it only meant for those people in that time? I don't know.
2006-10-19 03:11:48 · answer #4 · answered by teeney1116 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God never said Christians couldnt have good clean fun....
However, that is a really good question.
I looked up this passage and the meaning I got was....
we are not to worship idols nor be paganistic
But its not like we are worshipping the Christmas tree. And basically harmless....also green (evergreen )represents eternal life (which is what we have through Jesus Christ)
I put up a tree out of tradition and for the kids....but I dont bow down before it either...
2006-10-19 03:13:10 · answer #5 · answered by candi k 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jeremiah was talking about using the tree in idol worship, which was a violation of true worship. It has nothing to do with the custom of having a tree in the celebration of Christmas. However, celebrating Christmas is still a pagan holiday that TRUE Christians avoid. If you doubt my words, check any reliable reference books or encyclopedia about holidays.
2006-10-19 03:24:18 · answer #6 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe what's being discussed here is icon worship or worship of false gods in the form of a tree. As a Christian and rational person, I don't see my Christmas tree as a god in any way, shape or form. In fact, it's a symbol of a holiday that celebrates the birth of my Lord and Savior. I'm pretty sure God doesn't mind celebrating the physical birth of His own Son.
2006-10-19 03:10:59 · answer #7 · answered by luvwinz 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Christian and I love my tree. It's just a tree,no hidden agenda. For your information, the first Christmas tree was'nt introduced to England until the reign of Queen Victoria. I don't know what sort of tree you have in mind, but God did'nt mean the Christmas tree,probably some pagan stuff is what you mean. MY TREE STAYS !!!!!!!!
2006-10-19 03:25:04 · answer #8 · answered by Taylor29 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you are correct in the fact that christmas is not about any of that stuff. however, i am a practicing christian and so is my family. we knwo what christmas is and we celebrate that fact. but there is nothign wrong with decorations and trees, lights gifts and all that jazz. here is why, because we do not worship that tree, and we knwo that the tree has nothign to do with "christmas" it is simply a fun family event. setting up, decorating giving gifts, getting gifts. its a fun family time. it IS bad however when people do al this thinking thats all christmas is. that is when it is a problem. i have never and will never feel bad about my christmas time traditions. i will continue it with my family and will do it for my wife and kids in the future
2006-10-19 03:12:11 · answer #9 · answered by lpxerounderground 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A tree for decoration is not the same as bowing down and worshiping it as God or a way to God. We can use trees for lots of things including making playhouses but we may not use them to worship God.
2006-10-19 03:09:34 · answer #10 · answered by beek 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋