"The customs of the people are worthless, they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel, they adore it with silver and gold, they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter" (Jeremiah 10-3,4).
This sound like a christmas tradition to me!Don't you?
2006-11-02 22:44:40 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
May I just correct you,you have to say 'mea veritas'.
As for the tradition it derives from the Germanic tribes who worshiped nature (believed in spirits) as well as a tree.
I hope this helped.
2006-11-02 22:50:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is the Yule tree that God forbids Jews and Christians from having anything to do wtih. Yet Christians in the Middle Ages blatantly ignored God's command and stole that exact symbol along with various others when they "created" (using the term very loosely) the modern Christmas celebration as a way to convert the Pagans. The only way they could convert anyone successfully was to borrow elements, with no regard whatsoever for what God commanded them not to do many centuries prior.
Nearly everything Christmas-related was borrowed from the Pagans. Biblical scholars know that Jesus wasn't born on Dec 25 or anywhere near there but many Pagan sun gods were and for the above listed reason of converting people was the only reason that particular date was chosen.
2006-11-03 06:54:40 · answer #2 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is talking about the Lords warning not to act like people who make horoscopes or try to read their fate in the stars. He says their ways are futile and foolish and compares the way the tree is carved and decorated is used as an idol. He goes on to say it cannot speak,it must be carried,for it cannot walk and not to be afraid of such a god for it can neither harm nor help, nor do you any good.
2006-11-03 07:01:53 · answer #3 · answered by serious 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It does, in fact!
Go back to the first sentence..."the customs of the people are worthless...."
That makes me think that its a warning about celebrating Christmas with all of its' customs and traditions but leaving Jesus out...and may people do. It's just a holiday for them, and not the rememberence of His birth. Easter can be like that as well...for some it's all about the tradition of eggs, bunnies, chicks, etc. and not about the celbration of our Risen Lord!
2006-11-03 07:07:06 · answer #4 · answered by Kare♥Bear 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a reference to idolatry specifically. It does have the imagery of a Christmas tree, and I will admit that the Christmas tree has become an idol to most people, and that most people are unaware that it is an idol. Personally, I do not keep or condone the display of a Christmas tree. Leave them in the forest where they belong.
2006-11-03 06:50:43 · answer #5 · answered by Preacher 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Tree worship in one way or the other is indeed an old rite. And as your verse says, it's a worthless custom of men.
But the one linked to Christmas is actually Germanic.
2006-11-03 07:29:40 · answer #6 · answered by rangedog 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is the Cross which is alluded to here. Here the concern expressed for the tree is nothing because the virtual river of blood that flows on the christmas day due to the slaughter of animals will drown all the faithfulls.
2006-11-03 07:23:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it does sound like the modern decorated xmas tree, it could also refer to Asherah groves, which are the antecedents of xmas trees.
Though xmas trees came from German pagan customs, Asherah came from Babylon (Assyria); but then again, so did the Germans.
2006-11-03 07:53:47 · answer #8 · answered by BC 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are talking about carved idols, statues of gods meant to be prayed and sacrificed to. Nobody carves a christmas tree.
Read the complete passages and quit taking things out of context.
2006-11-03 06:54:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's talking about the paganistic heathen of Jeremiah's day and their adoration of their false gods. "Ye shall not bow a knee to Ba'al."
2006-11-03 07:16:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋