Fellow Christians: Can you please help me out?

Question

Where is the scripture in the book of Jeremiah that supposedly talks about Yule and talks about the Christmas tree and forbids it?

Answer 1

I know I must have read Jeremiah chapter 10 at some point in my life, but for reasons unknown, the implication of verses 1-10 and especially verses 2-4 had eluded me. It seems that some have taken these verses of Scripture to prove that the Christmas tree, any Christmas tree was, and remains today, a pagan custom - therefore, its use is forbidden according to God's Word. Now, I am not arguing anyone's personal exegesis for or against Jeremiah 10. That is not really my point here. This is my interpretation of Jeremiah 10. However, if one takes into account to whom this chapter is written, the resulting object in question, and the fact that Christmas trees were unheard of during this time in history, it becomes abundantly clear that verses 1-4 is NOT referring to a Christmas tree as we know, and a careful reading of Jeremiah makes it clear:

"Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them. For the customs of the people are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. 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. No one is like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who whould not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due. Among all wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols. Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz. What the craftsman and goldsmith have made is then dressed in blue and purple, all made by skilled workers. But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath."

These verses clearly show that the people were substituting something for God. There have always been substitutes for God, so this is not unusual. Anyone who is not worshiping the true and living God has a substitute for Him. It may be that the person himself becomes his god, and he engages in self-worship. Then there is ancestor worship. Some worship money and will kill to aquire it. There are many substitutes for God, and Jeremiah addresses this in verses 1-2.

Answer 2

I have never seen any reference in the bible about Christmas trees. Why would there be, Jeremiah was written before the birth of Christ, so there wasn't any Christmas yet, much less Christmas trees.

As you can see, when you look at the whole scripture, not just a couple of lines, its apparent this scripture is talking about carving idols of wood and covering them with silver or gold.


Jeremiah 10
God and Idols
1 Hear what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel. 2 This is what the LORD says:
"Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.

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."

Answer 3

Jeremiah 10:1-4

Answer 4

Jeremiah 10:3 - 5

"3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.
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."

This I assume is the passage in Jeremiah you are referring to. However, this has nothing to do with Christmas trees. Firstly, this book was written long before the birth of Christ and Christmas. Secondly, this refers to making idols and craven images out of natural objects i.e. wood. I think you are fine, once you are not obsessed with your christmas tree to the point that you are worshipping it!

Answer 5

Sorry, I found no references in Jeremiah about the "yule", nor any mention of an evergreen tree, nor of a fir tree in Jeremiah.

You may wish to pick up a book by Alexander Hyslop entitled
THE TWO BABYLONS

Answer 6

Jeremiah 10 - talks about decorating a tree to use as an idol. This was a common practice in those days. It could be compared to tree huggers today, who tie themselves to trees so that the trees won't be "hurt". Most people that I know do not use their Christmas tree as an idol, but as a decoration.

Answer 7

The Christmas tree as you and I know it has absolutely nothing to do with Jeremiah, Christ and/or the Bible. It is purely a commercial human invention like everything else that exploits the masses of humanity for the benefit of a few smart ones
.
Take a look in this URL to find your answer!

http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html

Answer 8

That scripture has been taken out of context. It is not referring to a "Christmas tree" since this is a custom that has only recently been started. Jeremiah was talking about cutting a tree down to make an idol out of to worship. I don't know about you but I do not worship my Christmas tree.

Answer 9

Someone is pulling your leg.

While it's true that Jeremiah was a prophet and berated Isreal for their many offenses against God, the Hebrews had never been to Ireland and didn't know any Druids. That came around much later in the time of St. Patrick.

Answer 10

Jeremiah 10:1-5 and 8,9. is what you are looking for. I don't believe it is referring to the Christmas tree though.

I believe it is referring to the carving of IDOLS (gods) to worship. This is how idols were made and then they were plated with gold and silver and other jewels put in them.